Why Are Pigeons Important in City Life?
Pigeons are known as very beautiful and attractive birds. Pigeons are very calm. The pigeon's scientific name is Columba Livia Domestica. Smaller ones are usually called doves, larger ones are called pigeons. Other than this there are white domestic pigeons, known as the “dove of peace.” The word ‘pigeon’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pipio’, meaning ‘young chirping bird’. The word ‘dove’ is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as ‘dova’ or ‘douve’. Pigeons are found all over the world except the Sahara Desert, Antarctica, and the high Arctic.
Pigeons have been found as domesticated birds for years. The pigeon is a medium size bird. Their weight is 2 to 4 kg. They are found in many colors such as white, gray, and brown. They have very short hair on their body, which helps them control their body temperature. The upper part of its beak has holes for breathing. A black-colored ring is made around the neck of a dove.
Pigeon Lifestyle
Pigeon prefers to live among humans from years ago. It is commonly found in all countries. Only white and gray pigeons are found in India. White pigeons are found in homes while gray and brown pigeons are found in the forests. It can also survive in icy and desert areas.
Pigeons always like to live in herds. Pigeons build their nests in tall buildings and vacant places. Their memory is very sharp. After traveling so far, they can return to the same place again.
In the morning, pigeons go out in search of food. Most pigeons are vegetarian. They eat grains, millet grains, fruits, etc. The pigeons are very calm and like to live together with humans. The life of a pigeon is about 6 years. The ability of the pigeon to see and hear is amazing. They can easily hear the sounds of earthquakes and storms.
Characteristics and Attributes
The pigeon moves the wings 10 times in 1 second while flying.
The pigeon's heart beats 600 times in 1 minute.
The pigeon can identify himself by seeing his face in the mirror. The pigeon is one of only 6 species, and the only non-mammal, to have this ability
The memory of a pigeon is very fast due to which it was used as a postman in old times.
In the second world war, thousands of lives were saved with the help of pigeons.
The pigeon can fly at a speed of 60 to 70 Kilometers per hour. Some pigeons can also fly at a speed of 92 Kilometers per hour.
Pigeons can fly up to 6000 feet altitude.
Pigeons can travel 600 miles in a day to come back to their hideout.
The pigeon is a very highly sensitive bird, it already steals natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes.
The female pigeon lays 2 eggs at a time and chickens come out of it in the middle of 19 to 20 days.
It lives in a flock of 20 to 30 pigeons.
Pigeons can breed at the age of 6 months.
Pigeons are very intelligent so they can easily recognize 26 letters of the alphabet and they are also good at recognizing the appearance of humans.
Pigeons (and all the Columbidae family) drink by sucking water and using their beaks like straws. Most birds sip water and then throw their head back to swallow.
A Short Paragraph on Pigeon
Pigeons are beautiful birds, they are also known as domestic birds. Basically, pigeons like to live in groups and move along with their peer groups. Pigeons are the most attractive creation of God, they are adored by everyone due to their gentle nature. Pigeons rarely disturb other birds or people, they like calm surroundings more. Pigeons are very intellectual, they can make out or sense any unforeseen incident or calamities. Nowadays many people across the World breed pigeons, one who breeds pigeons referred to as Fanciers. In earlier days pigeon flying competitions were held between the Pigeon owners, pigeons kept flying in the sky all day long, the pigeon who flew for longer hours would be declared as the winner pigeon. Environmental change and increase in the hunting of pigeons lead them to the verge of extinction since they have no place to live in can be the other reason for the decreasing ratio of pigeons.
Pigeons are beautiful birds of this world, we need to protect and give them the safest environment to live peacefully and calmly.
Conclusion
Pigeons are very beautiful, attractive, and calm birds. Currently, the population of pigeons is decreasing day by day because of pollution because they did not have fresh air to breathe. We should take care of these beautiful creature so that they can freely live their life.
FAQs on Pigeon Essay: Key Facts, Benefits, and Urban Significance
1. What is a pigeon, and how does it differ from a dove?
Pigeons and doves belong to the same bird family, Columbidae. Generally, the term "pigeon" is used for the larger species, while "dove" refers to the smaller ones. For example, the common bird found in cities worldwide is the Rock Pigeon. Scientifically, there is no strict distinction, and the names are often used interchangeably based on regional language and tradition.
2. What are some key characteristics of pigeons for an essay?
Pigeons possess several unique characteristics that are great to mention in an essay:
Powerful Fliers: They can fly at average speeds of 60-70 km/h and reach altitudes of up to 6,000 feet.
Excellent Navigators: Pigeons have a remarkable homing ability, allowing them to find their way back to their nest from hundreds of miles away.
Unique Drinking Method: Unlike most birds that sip and tilt their heads back to swallow, pigeons can suck water continuously using their beaks like a straw.
High Intelligence: Studies have shown they can recognise all 26 letters of the English alphabet and even identify themselves in a mirror.
3. Why are pigeons so common in cities and other urban areas?
Pigeons thrive in cities because urban environments closely mimic their ancestral habitat of sea cliffs. Key reasons include:
Nesting Sites: Tall buildings, ledges, and window sills provide safe, high-up places to build nests, similar to natural rock cliffs.
Food Availability: Cities offer a constant and reliable food source from discarded human food, grains, and people intentionally feeding them.
Lack of Predators: Urban areas generally have fewer natural predators compared to forests, making them safer for pigeons to live and breed.
4. What is the historical significance of pigeons in human society?
Pigeons have played a significant role throughout human history for thousands of years. Their most famous contribution was as messengers, especially during wartime, where their homing ability was used to carry critical information across enemy lines. Famous war pigeons like Cher Ami were even awarded medals for their service. Beyond this, they were one of the first birds to be domesticated and have been historically valued as a source of food and as sacred animals in various cultures.
5. What are the main benefits of pigeons for the environment?
Pigeons play a positive ecological role, particularly in urban environments. They act as seed dispersers by eating fruits and grains and spreading the seeds through their droppings, which helps in plant distribution. Their droppings, known as guano, also act as a natural fertiliser, contributing to nutrient cycling in the soil. Furthermore, they are an important prey species for birds of prey like peregrine falcons, helping to sustain predator populations in cities.
6. Are pigeons just "rats with wings," or do they have a positive urban significance?
The term "rats with wings" is a common misconception that focuses only on the nuisance aspect of pigeons, such as droppings damaging buildings. However, their urban significance is more complex. On the positive side, they contribute to the ecosystem as effective scavengers, cleaning up leftover food waste that might otherwise attract other pests. Their resilience and adaptability are also remarkable. While large, unmanaged populations can cause issues, they are an integral part of urban wildlife with deep historical and ecological roots.
7. What key points should be included when writing an essay on pigeons?
To write a comprehensive and engaging essay on pigeons, you should include these key points:
Introduction: Start with a general overview, mentioning their scientific name (Columba livia domestica) and their common presence worldwide.
Physical Characteristics: Describe their appearance, unique flying and navigation skills, and other interesting traits.
Historical Importance: Detail their role as messengers in peace and war, and their history of domestication.
Urban Significance: Discuss both the benefits (e.g., scavengers, part of the ecosystem) and the challenges they pose in cities.
Conclusion: Summarise their symbolic meaning (e.g., a symbol of peace) and reflect on their complex and long-standing relationship with humans.
8. What do pigeons eat and where do they build their nests?
Pigeons are primarily granivores, meaning their diet consists mainly of grains, seeds, fruits, and legumes. In urban areas, they are highly adaptable and also eat breadcrumbs, popcorn, and other food scraps left by humans. They build their nests in high, sheltered places that mimic cliffs, such as building ledges, rooftops, bridges, and inside old or abandoned structures, which provide crucial protection from predators and bad weather.
