Why Do Pigeons Sing?
Pigeons are known for making different sounds. After all, vocalization is how they primarily communicate with each other and with humans. But sometimes, you can catch one singing. That can make you wonder, why do pigeons sing?
During the bow-coo display, male pigeons can make a display cooing sound. It primarily indicates that the male bird is ready to mate. Part of the song will be trill, while most will be an “oo” sound. You may even hear it from females.
But do all the species make the same sounds when they are singing? Also, how can you tell whether the pigeon is cooing or singing? Stick around if you want to learn the answers.
Want to learn more about pigeon behavior:
What Is the Purpose of a Pigeon’s Song?
The pigeons will usually sing during the mating season. It is a form of communication that makes the male birds get the attention of a female. Male birds can also combine singing with bowing, which states the bird is ready to mate.
But sometimes, the soft cooing you hear might sound like a song, but it is not. In fact, pigeons rely on soft coos to signal contentment. Maybe, the bird is happy with how their life is going.
Additionally, soft and low-volume cooing can also act as a form of communication between nearby birds. Yes, pigeons do not coo loudly unless they absolutely have to.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
How Can We Tell the Difference Between a Pigeon’s Song and Its Call?
To truly understand the difference between a pigeon singing and calling, you must know why pigeons sing. As stated above, pigeons mostly sing when looking for mates. So, if it is breeding season, the sound you hear is likely a pigeon singing.
There is another significant difference between a pigeon signing and cooing. Pigeon’s calls are typically short. It is generally less complex than songs too. On the contrary, pigeon songs are more rhythmic and longer than calls.
You can also tell whether a pigeon is singing or calling by looking at them. If the bird is looking for a mate, it will puff up its chest and coo. In comparison, pigeons can call at any state and with any body posture.
Are There Any Differences in the Songs of Different Pigeon Species?
There are differences in the songs of different pigeon species. Even though many of the species will stick to one common vocalization, their songs will have a touch of uniqueness.
To illustrate, rock pigeons, commonly found in the cities, will make a distinct “coo-COO-coo” sound singing. On the other hand, the mourning dove, generally found in North America, will make a mourning “coo-OO-oo” sound while singing.
Other than that, the length and complexity of the songs will vary depending on the species. Also, some species have a simple way of singing, while others may add variations.
How is Pigeon Singing Important to Us?
While pigeon songs may seem annoying or less important to some, they bring some benefits. For example:
Connection with the Nature
A simple sound, such as a pigeon singing, can be soothing in busy urban areas where you can only hear vehicles and people. It can act as a way of connecting with nature.
Mental Clarity
Many find bird songs to be peaceful and enjoyable. And the case is the same for pigeon singing. If you are stressed, maybe listen to what the pigeons say. It can help you to relax and get the metal fog out.
Indicators of the Local Environment
Pigeons do not look for mates when they do not thrive in the environment. Likewise, the bird will not make rhythmic and soothing sounds if it struggles to survive. So, pigeon singing can indicate that the local ecosystem is healthy.
What Environmental Factors Influence the Singing of Pigeons?
Pigeons generally only sing when they are in an ideal environment. That brings the question, which environmental factors can influence the birds to sing? Let’s take a deeper look:
Presence of Other Birds and Predators
For pigeons, singing is a form of communication. Of course, they would not generally try to communicate with humans through singing. Instead, they will sing to other pigeons.
So, when there are not many pigeons around, these birds might not sing. Most specifically, there need to be enough female pigeons in the environment.
Similarly, too many predators around the nesting site can hinder the pigeons from singing. The thing is, pigeons sing when they are content or looking for mates. The two will only be valid if the birds always have to worry about threats.
Condition of the Environment
Even though pigeons can adapt to extreme conditions, they thrive best when the environment is cool and humid. So, it goes without saying that you will not find a pigeon singing during the extremely cold or hot seasons.
Time of the Day
Pigeons remain the most active during the day. To be exact, they will be highly energetic in the morning. For that reason, you might not see a pigeon singing during dusk or dawn.
Are There Any Ways to Encourage a Pigeon to Sing More?
Are your pet pigeons not singing? In such cases, you can do the following to encourage them:
Ensure a Comfortable Nesting Area
Pigeons need to feel safe and content to sing. So, if you are not providing them with a secure and comfortable nesting area, the birds will not singe. Also, keep predators from sticking around the nesting site.
Keep the Environment Peaceful and Quiet
If you still need to select a nesting area for the pet pigeons, prioritize a place with no loud noise. Loud noises can stress out the birds, hindering them from singing.
Offer the Birds Enough Food and Water
You can’t expect pigeons to be jolly when struggling with food and water. Thus, it is essential to check the bird feeder and water station. Make sure there is always enough of the two.
Final Words
To conclude, pigeons sing when they are looking for a mate or when they are content. That is pretty much the only answer to why pigeons sing. And if you want to encourage the birds, keep the abovementioned factors in your mind.
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Article References:
- https://www.popsci.com/animals/pigeon-watching-rosemary-mosco-excerpt/
- https://www.birdlife.org/news/2017/03/03/why-do-birds-sing/
- https://www.thespruce.com/why-birds-sing-386221
- https://www.livescience.com/54544-why-birds-sing-same-song-repeatedly.html
- https://earthsky.org/earth/why-do-birds-sing/
- https://www.wwt.org.uk/news-and-stories/blog/why-do-birds-sing-and-what-do-their-calls-mean
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.3889
References:
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