Why Do Pigeons Eat So Much?
It is not common for birds to be spotted in the city, but pigeons – also known as rock doves – are a delightful exception. They can be found in every city in this world, except maybe the Polar Regions, where the hard cold climate makes it difficult for them to survive.
You may find a lot of people in the park or the streets feeding pigeons crumbs of bread to pass their time, and, surprisingly, the pigeons always seem to keep coming back for more! Now why do pigeons eat so much?
Pigeons, like all birds, have a high metabolism, and they prefer to feed off the ground and will eat several different types of food. This, however, does mean that their habit of overeating their share can get troublesome, especially if you keep them as a pet.
So join us as we break down exactly why pigeons tend to eat so much and how to prevent it.
Related Blog About Pigeon Foods:
How Much Do Pigeons Typically Eat in a Day?
According to Pest Control UK, “The average pigeon will eat a tenth of its body weight every day. By comparison, we humans will roughly eat the equivalent of our own body weight every 31 days. The pesky birds that throng our towns and cities weigh around 350 grams – the equivalent of a tin of soup.”
They can actually spend their day on the equivalent of one slice of bread, though that would not be nutritional enough to sustain their lifestyle. Well, they just tend to eat more because their options are endless, and they have been spoilt by people feeding them.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon foods and Diet“; if interested, you can check this article here.
Do Pigeons Need to Eat a Lot?
Pigeons have a high metabolism, as birds generally do, which requires them to eat quite a lot more since a lot of energy is spent flying. This does not, however, mean that they actually need to eat as much as they usually tend to.
They are fed more than they need to be at parks and in the cities, and they, in turn, will enthusiastically have anything and everything provided to them.
Do Parent Pigeons Eat a Lot?
Parent pigeons do not particularly eat more than any other regular adult pigeons. Instead, they have to work extra hours to find food for their babies.
While the answer is no to the question, the fact of the matter is that parent pigeons will take more food to be taken to their babies, either by eating and then regurgitating or by physically carrying them on their beaks.
Do Baby Pigeon Birds Eat a Lot?
Baby pigeons are a rare sight as they are one of the few birds to spend a long time in their nests. They are also hatched in high and secluded spots, whether it be in the city or in nature, away from crowds. By the time they are ready to come out, they look quite like adult pigeons unless observed closely for signs.
They are fed regurgitated crop milk by their parents and then moved onto seeds, plants, and insects. The squabs, as baby pigeons are called, can be fed 4 to 5 times a day and when they begin to squawk. However, they are fed about 2 times every day.
What Do Pigeons Eat the Most?
Pigeons’ diet consists of a large variety of food items, so the options for them are endless. We will list some of the more common food that they eat below:
Crops and Grains
Pigeons feed on several types of plant food, including grains, seeds, cereal crops, plant seeds, and peas.
Fruits and Vegetables
Feral pigeons will also have berries and other small fruits and vegetables if they can get their claws on them.
Invertebrates
Although majorly herbivores, pigeons can be driven to eating insects – and feeding squabs with insects as well – if there is a scarcity or too much competition. These insects can be small beetles, praying mantes, worms, and ants.
Other
Pigeons in the cities are often fed popcorn, breadcrumbs, biscuits, pasta, chips, rice, and even pet food. Basically, they will munch on any small edible they are given.
Do Pigeons Stop Eating When Full?
One of the reasons pigeons are considered pests and nicknamed “rats with wings” is not only because of their leaving droppings everywhere and carrying harmful bacteria but also because of their habit of eating everything that they can find.
Pigeons often become a nuisance to birdfeeders as they tend to scare away smaller birds and eat way more than their fair share, so much so that they can start to cost the feeders a small fortune.
Moreover, they are noisy and do not share their food, bringing their friends over as well. Not to mention that they keep hanging around even after they have finished all the food and leave their droppings everywhere!
How Do I Stop Pigeons from Eating All the Food?
The best way to stop pigeons from eating all the food is to simply stop feeding them or giving them access. If you want to keep them away from your bird feeders, you can pick a particular birdfeeder with a design that makes it difficult for pigeons to get to the food. You can also use food items that pigeons do not enjoy, such as Nyjer Seed, Suet Balls, and Sunflower hearts.
The idea is to let them know that they will not be getting any food from your garden or birdfeeder so that they can find some other hunting ground for food, which, honestly, will not be that difficult.
Conclusion
So now you have your answer to “why do pigeons eat so much?” and know how pesky pigeons can be when it comes to food and how pest-like they can become when being spoilt with an overindulgence of sustenance. We hope that this article will help you control their feeding and, if needed, keep them away.
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Image Credit:
- webbsdirect.co.uk
- iStock.com/Christian Sturzenegger
- canva.com/photos
References:
- http://provparksconservancy.org/5235-2/
- https://www.pest.co.uk/what-do-pigeons-eat/
- https://homeandroost.co.uk/blog/stop-pigeons-eating-bird-food/
