Why Do Pigeons Coo Constantly?
Like any other birds, pigeons have their method of communication. That is, through cooing. However, if you come across pigeons, you might have noticed that sometimes they do not stop cooing. That might have made you ask, why do pigeons coo constantly?
Pigeons have a lot to communicate. Through cooing, they attract mates, claim territories, express their feelings, search for food, and, most importantly, defend themselves. That’s why they coo all the time.
But that is just the peak of the iceberg when it comes to pigeons and cooing. There is so much that you have to know!
Read more about pigeons behavior:
What Is the Purpose of Pigeon Cooing?
As we have mentioned before, cooing is the main form of communication for pigeons. They relay different types of information by making these sounds. Here are some of them:
01. To Attract a Mate
Through cooing, pigeons look for mates. And the ones that don’t have a partner might coo throughout the day. Another interesting fact about these birds is that they are known for breeding throughout the year.
That means the constant cooing can persist all year round if it is actually a call for a mate. Generally, the males will start this mating call. And the females that are around will respond by cooing.
02. For Claiming and Establishing Territory
Although known for being docile and highly social, pigeons can be fierce when it comes to setting territories. Many even get involved in a fight to ensure they are in control.
However, being engaging in something serious, pigeons will coo to let the intruder bird know that the territory is claimed. This acts as a warning and lets the intruder bird know they should not be around the area.
03. To Signal the Presence of Food
Pigeons are one of the most social birds that you find around you. They are communal and gregarious. That’s why you will find them sticking together and searching for food.
Now, when searching for food, when one of the pigeons finds it, they signal the others through cooing. And when the other birds get the signal, they will stop looking for food and head over to the location where the food is found.
04. For Socializing and Bonding
As mentioned earlier, pigeons like to stick together. They are very social. You will generally find them in large flocks and doing everything together. And when pigeons are together, they will socialize and bond through cooing.
05. To Express Fear or Stress
The birds tend to use cooing to let others know about their current emotional and mental condition. When pigeons sense danger, they will coo to defend themselves by scaring the attacker through the sound.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon Behavior“; if interested, you can check this article here.
Why Do Pigeons Coo Incessantly?
There are several reasons why pigeons coo incessantly. Some of those are:
01. Express That They Are in Danger
When these birds sense a presence of danger nearby, they will coo constantly. It is to attract the attention of other pigeons that are around. This constant cooing can also be for grabbing your attention. The bird might want your help with the danger that they are sensing.
02. To Communicate with the Other Pigeons Around
Pigeons are very talkative. When other pigeons are around or together, they will make sounds and communicate with each other. This constant cooing is a form of bonding or socializing.
03. For Attracting Mates
Lonely pigeons will coo all the time. It is a way through which these birds express their longing for a partner. And once they find a mate, they will stop making the coos incessantly if they were actually lonely.
Do Pigeons Coo When Happy?
Cooing is a form of communication for pigeons. And they express all their feelings, whether it is about feeling secure, comfortable, loved, or happy, by making these sounds.
When you hear pigeons cooing all the time on your roof, it means that they are happy to be in the area. It states that the birds are living healthily, and they do not have any fear of predators around.
However, if you make your home uninviting for the pigeons, they will stop cooing on your roof. In fact, they might not even sit on the top of your roof anymore.
Why Do Pigeons Coo and Walk in Circles?
Like other birds, pigeons have a distinctive courtship behavior. And their way of attracting mates, showing their readiness and fitness for breeding, is through cooing and walking in circles.
This behavior of the birds is also known as “billing.” And usually, male pigeons show this type of behavior to attract females. They also let their potential mates know that they are a suitable and healthy mate.
Wondering what females do by seeing male pigeons billing? Females will often respond by preening themselves and nodding their heads. This body language is a sign that the females are receptive to the male’s advances.
What Does It Mean When Pigeons Coo Loudly?
Loud cooing is generally a way of forming bonds between males and females. It can also be a way of showing off the ability to be heard from a distance. And that can potentially attract more females towards the males.
However, loud cooing can even be a sign of distress. If the loud noise is combined with the flapping of the wings, it states that the birds are agitated and do not feel safe. And in such cases, you need to divert your attention to the birds.
Finally, some pigeons can coo loudly without any apparent reason. It can be a form of communication that can be explained by considering the situation that they are in or their health.
Why Do Pigeons Coo at Night?
Pigeons coo all the time when they are active. And they can be active both during the day and at night. Like in the daytime, pigeons will make sounds to communicate with each other in the dark.
Furthermore, the cooing at night will have different messages conveyed. That means the night cooing can be for fear, food, maintaining territory, and socializing. You can learn more about pigeons cooing at night by reading this discussion.
Wrapping Up
All in all, cooing is a way through which pigeons communicate with each other. These birds also try to communicate with us through cooing. And when they are constantly cooing, it is either for attracting a mate, socializing, or expressing their feelings.
However, if you wonder why pigeons constantly coo on your roof, it means they are happy to be living in your area.
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Article Reference:
- Prokill.co.uk/blog/why-do-pigeons-coo
- Celebrateurbanbirds.org/learn/birds/focal-species/rock-pigeon/
Image Credits: canva.com/photos
