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In Russia, out of 35 species of pigeons, four live: the gray pigeon, the wood pigeon, the clintukh and the rocky one. However, the rock pigeon is the most common, since it is a synanthropic species of bird, in simple words, capable of living and breeding next to humans. How long do pigeons live in wild, urban or domestic conditions, and what affects their life expectancy is described in this article.
Where do pigeons live
Pigeons live throughout Eurasia and are also found in Asia, Africa, India and Saudi Arabia. Birds of this genus initially chose the sea coasts and cliffs; today they are found near human habitation, as well as in megalopolises, cities and towns.
This species of birds leads a sedentary lifestyle. In nature, they live on rocks - up to 4000 meters above sea level. In winter, they move vertically downwards to escape severe cold and winds.
In cities, these birds build houses in the following places:
- roofs of houses;
- spreading trees;
- under the canopies of balconies;
- fire pipes;
- voids under the surfaces of bridges.
Since wild pigeons avoid contact with any other species of fauna, they also try to avoid such proximity in the city.However, getting used to humans, birds build primitive nests and live near those places where they find food and water, despite their forced neighbors. In this case, only the male must obtain material to build the nest, and the female builds the dwelling.
How long do pigeons live?
Theoretically, according to the conclusions of ornithologists based on long-term observations, pigeons live in favorable conditions for up to 20-25 years. In reality, only a few representatives live to this age. The lifespan of birds is directly affected by climatic conditions and habitat. It is known that wild representatives of the genus live much less than urban ones and, especially domestic ones, who do not need anything and live in a warm and cozy dovecote.
In nature
Wild pigeons, living at a distance from humans, are found in forests, steppes, on steep river banks and mountain gorges. Birds are exposed to many dangers in their ongoing search for food. Therefore, unlike city pigeons, sisars that live in the wild are extremely shy. It is this quality that is the key to life in such conditions and allows one to raise offspring in an environment that constantly threatens life.
The lifespan of wild pigeons is influenced by the following factors:
- attack by predators;
- infectious diseases;
- very coldy.
According to research by ornithologists, in nature wild pigeons live on average from 3 to 5 years, and the recorded maximum did not exceed 7 years.This is a very short period of time for a pigeon, therefore in nature it is assigned rather the role of a victim, who is forced to survive every minute of her life in order to leave behind as many offspring as possible.
The life expectancy of wild pigeons is especially strongly influenced by the coincidence of their habitat with many other birds that are carriers of infectious or invasive diseases, from which pigeons have no immunity. Outbreaks of such diseases significantly reduce the number of birds living in the wild.
In the city
The pigeons living in the city, busily walking around the squares and alleys, are the descendants of wild sizars, who, in an effort to survive, moved from the forests closer to humans. They are born and then live their entire lives in the city without flying anywhere. In populated areas there are not so many predators that threaten the lives of birds, and it is much easier to find food and water. This has made the naturally shy pigeons less vigilant, and they often die at the paws of cats or dogs, as well as under the wheels of cars. In addition, in northern latitudes with harsh climatic conditions, city pigeons, like wild pigeons, die without surviving the long frosty winter.
But, despite the danger of dying from the paws of a cat or under the wheels of a vehicle, city pigeons live almost twice as long as their wild counterparts. In addition, there are no wild birds in the city that carry infections, and therefore city residents get sick much less often.
At home
Domestic pigeons live on average 7-10 years longer than urban pigeons. Because breeders are constantly improving existing breeds, working to strengthen their immunity and life expectancy. Today, birds in dovecotes heated in winter can live up to 20-25 years. However, pigeons only live to this age if they were born in captivity and have an improved gene pool. City or wild pigeons, even in favorable conditions, are not able to live more than 13-15 years.
However, this is not the limit. According to unofficial data, there is information according to which some representatives of these birds lived up to 35 years.
What affects the lifespan of pigeons
The lifespan of a pigeon directly depends on factors such as:
- climatic conditions;
- diet;
- immunity;
- breed.
The climatic conditions in which birds live, as well as their diet, affect the age to which the bird will live. In regions with long, harsh and snowy winters, pigeons live several years less than in regions with a milder climate. This is explained by the fact that they spend more strength and energy on obtaining food under a thick layer of snow. In addition, a lot of energy is spent on finding shelter from winds, precipitation and frost. Many individuals die from malnutrition and hypothermia. It has also been noted that even domestic pigeons live somewhat less in northern latitudes than in southern latitudes.
In addition, the age of the bird is influenced by the breed and resistance to disease.Domestic purebred pigeons, receiving a complete and balanced diet, as well as timely treatment, have acquired innate immunity over several generations, which is why they get sick less often. Wild and city pigeons, eating irregularly and whatever they have, cannot boast of good health and die in whole flocks from various infections. Also, by not receiving enough elements necessary for life, the body wears out faster, which affects the lifespan of birds.
How to understand how old a pigeon is
To record the age of the bird, pigeon breeders band their pets. The ring on the paw is, so to speak, the pigeon’s passport, which indicates the date and place of its birth. If there is no ring, age is determined by some external characteristics:
- up to 1 month – yellow down on the feathers, the base of the nose without feathers, the beak is soft, long and thin;
- at 3-4 months – the beak is hard, wide and short; the iris is bright orange or yellowish;
- if the individual is small, coos quietly and sometimes makes squeaking sounds - about 2.5 months;
- if the bird shows interest in the opposite sex, in the form of courtship - more than 5 months;
- traces of molting are visible, while the formation of the cere is observed, which is still tender - 7 months;
- the cere (nose) and eye rings are already a little rough - about 4 years;
- pale pigmentation of the legs indicates that the pigeon is more than 5 years old.
In addition, the youth of the bird is indicated by the feather color not being as bright and without iridescence as in adults, especially in males. It is visually difficult to determine how old the pigeon actually is, so the resulting figure will be approximate.
Conclusion
The climatic conditions in which pigeons live, as well as their habitat and diet, directly affect their life expectancy. In the wild or in the city, none of these birds die of natural causes. And only domestic pigeons that live in a well-equipped dovecote and lead a carefree lifestyle are able to reach a ripe old age.
