Why Do Pigeons Puff Up?
Whenever I see my pigeon puff up it looks like a blowfish ready to strike. But I didn’t give much attention to why this happens until I heard the reason from senior pigeon keepers. This behave is quite interesting.
Pigeons puff up for many reasons, and inviting for intimacy is one of them. It is like a way of saying, “Hey, I’m ready for some snuggles!”. They also have been noticed to puff up to scare away predators or as a way to claim territory. But that’s not the end.
This article is full of surprises. Do you have much patience to hear more? Cause I am going to open the lid of this behavior.
Read more about pigeons behavior:
All Reasons Why Do Pigeons Puff Up?
Pigeons are fascinating creatures, and their puffing-up habit may not significantly matter to anyone, but knowing the reason behind it actually makes anyone surprised. So let’s dive into all the reasons why pigeons puff up.
01. Invitation For Intimate
When pigeons puff up their feathers, it’s like striking a pose for a dating profile photo. It’s a way to show off their healthy and fluffy feathers, indicating that they are a good mate and can provide warmth and protection for their partner and offspring.
02. To Keep Themselves Warm
Pigeons, like many birds, have a unique way of keeping warm. They fluff up their feathers to create a layer of insulation that traps heat close to their body. This helps them to maintain their body temperature, especially in cold weather.
03. Clean Themselves
While taking a bath, puffing up isn’t just for show; it’s also for cleanliness. If pigeons Pluff up during a bath, it means that they need to clean their feathers to get them nice and clean. The trapped air between the feathers helps to lift dirt and oils away from the feather’s surface, which is essential for maintaining the health of their feathers.
04. Scaring The Predators
Puffing up is also used as a defense mechanism. When a pigeon puff up, it makes them look bigger and more intimidating, which can deter predators from attacking. It’s a visual warning that says, “Don’t mess with me, I’m bigger than I look.”
05. Signs Of Anger
Territorial habit is common among pigeons. They puff up their feathers when angry or agitated. This is usually done to intimidate their adversaries, showing that they are prepared to fight if necessary. It’s a fighting invitation for the opponent that says, ” This area and the women’s belong to me. If you want it, you have to get over me!”
06. Throat Cancer
There are many situations where pigeons express themselves by puffing up their feathers. But if you discover a single one as a puffed-up condition for an extended period, it can be a sign of throat cancer. It is best to take it to a vet for a check-up.
So, as we can see, puffing up serves different purposes for pigeons, and it’s a necessary behavior that can indicate a pigeon’s state and intentions, whether it’s courtship, self-defense, keeping warm, clean, and healthy, or even a sign of illness.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon Behavior“; if interested, you can check this article here.
What Does It Mean When a Pigeon Is All Puffed Up?
First, we must get this misinformation out of the way, in case anyone reading this article is not aware. When pigeons are “puffed up,” they do not actually strain their chests, but instead their feathers.
As they make their feathers stand up, the overall effect makes them look rounder and larger than their usually slim and long bodies.
Pigeons puffing up can mean several things, to be honest, ranging from male pigeons literally “throwing up their feathers” to impress a female pigeon and court them to some indication that they are feeling uncomfortable due to some injury or internal illness.
However, it is considered normal for them to puff up their feathers, but it can be concerning when they spend most of their days that way, in which case, you should see a vet.
What Does It Mean When Pigeons Puff Up and Coo?
The reason that pigeons puff up their chests and coo could even be as simple as them feeling cold and protecting themselves, much like many furry animals during winter or in cold climates, and even like humans, as they get goosebumps when they feel a chill.
Pigeons have a special uropygial gland under their tails which secrete a particular type of oil that the pigeons spread around their feathers. This makes the feathers waterproof, and they can trap air between their feathers to keep the warmth longer and insulate their bodies against the harsh climate outside.
What Does a Pigeon Look Like When It Puffs Up?
Since pigeons have several reasons to puff up their feathers, they can actually look very different depending on those reasons.
If only the feathers around their necks are puffed up, it is likely that they are doing a mating call, and the around their neck looks larger – they are more suitable to be able to protect their female counterparts.
Illnesses can cause pigeons to puff up into a ball and stay that way throughout the day without moving from their positions. At these times, they can look like a fluffy, round bird and quite tame in retrospect.
Pigeons will often puff up their chests only, which can make them look a little funny to us. Their chests look far larger, while their legs are elongated and small. They could walk around like this for a while to assert dominance.
Do Pigeons Puff Up When They Sleep?
Yes, pigeons do sometimes puff up their feathers before they go to sleep, particularly in colder climates, to keep themselves warm and cozy. Their relaxing brain could be sending signals to their muscles to relax, causing the feathers to stand up.
It can also be a way to keep away enemies as they are in a vulnerable position while they sleep.
Do Pigeons Puff Up When They Mate?
As we mentioned before, puffing up is one of the ways pigeons attract mates. They bond for life when they find a partner, so it is crucial for them to be able to attract the female that they are on the lookout for.
Cooing and puffing up is a sure sign that it is indeed the mating season, and the male pigeons are on the hunt. They make soft cooing noises, the feathers on their neck standing up, while they make a grand bow and turn in front of potential mates, like an interpretative dance.
Along with that, they can also follow the female around (called Driving) and drag their tail feathers on the ground to impress nearby female pigeons.
After bonding, it is also common to be one of the pigeons putting their beaks inside the other’s, almost like kissing, which is called Billing, and even clapping their wings together!
Do All Pigeons Puff Up Their Feathers?
Pigeons are one of the most recognizable and beloved birds around the world. From their cooing sounds to their iconic round bodies, these birds have become a staple in many cities and towns. But did you know that all pigeons puff up their feathers?
Yes, indeed, all pigeons do puff up their feathers, as this is a sign of several things that are necessary for all pigeons – surviving in cold climates, doing a mating ritual to bond with a female for life, and fighting for dominance over hunting or nesting grounds.
Why Do Pigeons Puff Up Their Chests?
Puffing up only their chests for pigeons works the same way as humans and other animals.
It is a show of pride and dominance, as this pose can make them look taller. It makes them assertive around other pigeons and birds, giving the bird the power to protect itself and its mate.
You can find pigeons walking around like this for a few hours, strutting their feathers and calling attention to themselves as the superior pigeon amongst other birds – although they could look quite hilarious to us.
Why Do Pigeons Puff Up and Dance?
Dancing pigeons, while they are puffed up, is a sure sign of either a mating call from male pigeons or a stance against an enemy as they prepare to fight. We realize that these reasons are on the absolute ends of the pole when it comes to their relationships, but they say hate is simply a form of love.
A way to differentiate between the two calls is to simply read their body language. A mating pigeon will have softer coos and slower movements as they dance in front of its female counterparts, trying to impress and not be domineering. Only the feathers around their necks will be puffed up.
On the other hand, a fighting stance is to scare more than to attract and is quick and calculated. Their whole chest may be puffed up to assert dominance.
Conclusion
And with that, we draw the mysteries to the question “why do pigeons puff up?” to a close. As you can see, there are several vital reasons for the pigeons to have adopted this habit into their lives, something that has become a crucial part of their survival.
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Article References:
- Audubon.org/news/pigeon-watch-get-know-and-love-our-amazing-city-birds
- Youtu.be/YF3YDA2m50U
Image Credits:
- Igpoty.com (Photo by Steve Nicholls)
- Photo by Steve Acabinetofcuriosities
- Photo by Reddit user brutalisste
- Photo by MSPCA
- Photo by Karen Chapell on Flickr
- Photo by BirdsOutsideMyWindow
