Why Do Pigeons Growl?
How melodious does it sound to hear birds chirp outside the window! Birds chirping is like nature’s ringtone.
However, a pigeon’s growl is the complete opposite of that. It might rather indicate distress for the bird.
Have you wondered why do pigeons growl? Pigeons have a label of being an intelligent bird species, and it can be credited to their fascinating way of communicating with a variety of special bird sounds.
So, if a pigeon is growling, they are definitely in trouble, angry, or in discomfort!
If you are curious about why pigeons growl and what it could mean, along with what other sounds they make, keep reading because you have come to the right place!
Read more about pigeon habits:
Do All Pigeons Growl?
Pigeons are quiet birds by nature, but the growls they make are rather audible and surely indicate that the bird is in some kind of distress.
Yes! All pigeons growl if they feel threatened due to a predator being in their vicinity or uncomfortable due to any health issue.
When Do Pigeons Growl?
The growling sound pigeons make rather unpleasant to hear, and you can clearly tell the pigeon is not happy. Almost without a doubt, injured pigeons will grunt. Additionally, when a predator is nearby, they could grunt. If the pigeon senses any sort of danger from you, it will grumble when you approach them.
Pigeons also growl when they are angry, hurt, or feel threatened in any kind of way. They growl incessantly until the danger has evaded or the pigeons feel safe again. In the case of pet pigeons, they might growl due to physical distress or pain.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon Habits“; if interested, you can check this article here.
Do Pigeons Growl When They Are Scared?
Pigeons use this growling sound as a warning to other pigeons of the flock.
As soon as they sense the presence of a predator nearby, they initiate a repeated growling sound to ensure the other birds are aware of the danger. This shows how intuitive pigeons are!
Common predators for pigeons include foxes, raccoons, hawks, and even cats.
As the predator approaches, these grunts and growls intensify, indicating their increase in fear. The growls are usually short and repetitive.
What Does It Mean When Pigeon Growls?
Growling is a sign of hostility and is occasionally accompanied by dilated pupils and fanned feathers on the back of the neck.
Generally speaking, it denotes a pigeon’s dislike of human contact. In these circumstances, it is better to withdraw and give the bird some space before making any contact.
Growling also means that the pigeon is in danger and feels the need to alarm its fellow pigeons to be safe.
Oftentimes, in the wild, pigeons’ grunting can indicate their territorial nature when another pigeon is near its territory. Pigeons also express themselves with their body language, along with the sounds they make.
What Does a Pigeon’s Growl Sound Like?
The growling noise made my pigeons may sound somewhat unpleasant. They make short and screeching growls.
Repeated growls, also called grunting, can be of different types depending on the speed of the growl.
A faster growl possibly means that the pigeon is facing a threat and is in immediate danger.
Do Pigeons Growl When They Are Mating?
Contrary to their reaction to threats, when mating, pigeons do not growl. Instead, they make a cooing sound as a mating call.
Everyone has heard the coos of the pigeon, and it is, in fact, the trademark sound of the bird. However, pigeons make the cooing sound specifically when they are mating.
The pigeons cooing for mating are usually male pigeons. A pigeon will occasionally make a long-lasting cooing noise that sounds somewhat like a song.
They frequently do this while walking, fanning their feathers, and moving around.
Why Do Pigeons Make Moaning Sounds?
A pigeon may be asserting its territory or possibly looking for a mate to make a nest with if it is moaning while repeatedly stomping around.
However, a bird that is crouching and cooing is probably a female looking for a mate.
The combination of the moaning and the body language changes attracts a female pigeon.
What Other Sounds Does a Pigeon Make?
Pigeons make other noises as well. Mainly a whistling or hissing sound made by baby pigeons.
It takes about two months for baby pigeons to develop the depth of voice required for cooing or grunting. Since all they do is squeak, they are often referred to as squeakers.
They may make these sounds for a plethora of reasons, starting from just wanting attention to being alert that it is in danger.
Decipher Your Pigeon Growls!
The next time you hear a pigeon making a noise, this article will have prepped you just how to interpret the growling sounds made by the pigeons. No more wondering, “Why do pigeons growl?”.
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Article References:
- mickaboo.org/resources/reading-bird-body-language
Image Credit:
- stock.adobe.com
- flickr.com (Ingrid V Taylar)
- libreshot.com (Public domain license)
- completepestcontrol.ie/pigeons
- Canva.com/photos
