Common Pigeon - description, habitat, interesting facts

There are no people who would not meet the pigeons near the house or in the central square of the city. This feathered tribe has become an integral part of the animal world of our country. There are also many pigeons in Europe and other countries. Today we are considering a representative of the family, which is called nothing but a wood pigeon. It refers to the forest pigeon, belonging to the order pigeon. Wild birds are not as close to humans as city lodgers. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, we will better study everything in turn.

Description

1. A wood pigeon is a forest pigeon that tries to stay away from people. The representatives of the pigeon family belong to the pigeon-like order. According to external data, birds practically do not differ from city dwellers, except that their color is not so bright. These birds are bluish-gray, which allows them to easily disguise themselves in the forest.
2. There are red feathers in the chest area, and a silvery sheen is present on the greenish neck. When a bird stands in the direct sun, it is poured profitably. As for its weight category, the individual grows to 1 kg. A wild tribe is larger than its urban counterparts. There were cases in which the bird grew to 1.5 kg.
3. Today we will touch not only the mass of the hull, but also a length that exceeds the figures of 35-40 cm. The wingspan of these birds is 80 cm. When an individual is in flight, the wings spread and they can see transversal whitish feathers.
4. Due to the fact that the wingspan of these birds is quite impressive, feathered creatures can develop a speed regime in flight to 180 km / h. When seasonal migrations begin, pigeons have no problems with long flights. They can soar through the air for thousands of kilometers without feeling tired.
5. Continue the description. The eyes of birds are rounded with black pupils. On the circumference of the pupils there is a rim of a reddish subtone. Bill curved, strong, pigmented by reddish color at the base. The tip is yellow. There is a silvery sheen on the curved gray-green neck. A distinctive feature of forest pigeons is the presence of light spots on both sides of the neck.
6. The head is the same size as all other members of the pigeon family. It is pigmented with an ash tinge. The tail is short, when flying, it is blooming, so you can see a longitudinal white stripe. Legs are colored pink-red, thin, short, clawed. Therefore, individuals perfectly kept on the branches.
7. As for the color of the plumage of the younger generation, the color is somewhat similar to the shade of adults. Kids painted in a dirty gray shade. Only when they reach sexual maturity, they become like adult members of the family. It is important to know that these birds belong to the largest forest pigeons, respectively, they live in the forest.

Habitat

1. According to their territorial distribution, these birds spread to different climatic regions. Today they are found in Ukraine, Russia, Scandinavia, the Baltic States. In the summertime, they prefer to dwell in the Crimea and the Caucasus.
2. Individuals are located in the countries of Africa, in its northwestern part. By the nature of the stay, the pigeon family leads a sedentary lifestyle.As a permanent habitat choose deaf forests with deciduous or coniferous trees.
3. They feed on the fields, because cereals, wheat sprouts and other grains of this kind are a source of food for pigeons. They avoid wetlands, can only rarely be located on the outskirts of such water sources. As for the duration of existence, they live up to 16 years.

Lifestyle

1. These birds are cautious and do not show on the eyes. However, such habits are characteristic of all members of the group. They also avoid large predators, because, in fact, they cannot protect themselves. The main advantage of pigeons is the speed of flight.
2. If suddenly the predator appears on the horizon, the bird will freeze and will not give out itself. But when they go flying, the big wings make a lot of noise. Also, pigeons have a negative attitude towards people, even if they feed them. Nest in the forest belts away from humans.
3. However, there are exceptions that state that birds can live near people. In large cities, they are absent.Feel comfortable in the forest, where you can safely engage offspring.

The enemies

1. In the considered individuals, the enemies are often represented in the form of large predatory birds. Recently, the number of feathered predators has decreased significantly. The reason is human activity. For the same reason, the number of wild wood pigeons increased significantly.
2. Often, in the wild, the individuals in question become victims of the wild marten. Such predators without any problems can climb trees. If the wood pigeons walk on the ground, in this case badgers or foxes can grab them. The problem of pigeons is that they are quite large, so they are unable to immediately rise into the air.
3. It is worth noting the surprising fact that in some countries the number of vyhirey is so numerous that their people begin to destroy it purposefully, since birds are considered pests. Every year in such regions the number of birds shot is really amazing.

Breeding

1. Throughout the year, the individuals in question are able to reproduce up to 3 generations of young stock.In most cases, the mating season for such birds begins in early April. It is at this time that individuals return to their habitat after wintering. Birds begin to prepare for migration only in the fall.
2. These individuals reach sexual maturity at approximately 1 year. With the onset of the first mating season, couples begin to form. During this period, the males sit on the crowns of trees and begin to coo loudly. Thus, they attract females.
3. It is from this note that the day of the individuals in question begins. In the morning, wild pigeons begin to coo. As soon as the female will pay attention to the male, he goes down to her and starts cooing near her.
4. As a result of mating games, the female lays eggs. But before that, the formed pair begins building and arranging the nest. It is worth noting that the individuals in question are approached with the utmost responsibility for such a case. Each branch for the construction of birds carefully study their beak.
5. After the pigeon realizes that the twig fits in all parameters, it begins to build a nest. Despite all this, the birds rather quickly build their homes.The whole procedure takes a maximum of 3 days. Individuals create a frame of more durable twigs. Next, the birds weave a nest of flexible twigs.
6. As a result, birds have a flat bottom. Also the nest itself has holes. They appear between the branches. It is worth noting that the birds have their homes at a height of no more than 2 m. Often you can see that the more lazy wood pigeons occupy the old nests of falcons, ravens or forty.
7. It is worth noting the surprising fact that the individuals in question are the largest representatives in their family. It is because of this feature, the meat of such pigeons is very much appreciated. Therefore, these birds are hunted not only by predators, but also by people. The man is very interested in hunting pigeons.
8. In one clutch, you can find no more than 2 eggs. They are rather small and have a white color. The female incubates the eggs for about 17 days. Also, the male sometimes substitutes a companion. After that, the young begin to spit into the light. The first month, the chicks feed on special secretions that are reproduced from the goiter of the parents.
9. After this, the young gradually begins to taste the food that adults feed on.The birds in question are very caring parents. All this time they feed the chicks and gradually learn to fly. After 1 month after laying the young growth becomes completely independent.

The surprising fact is that these individuals are very selective in the choice of material for the construction of the nest. All bird building materials are carefully examined. As for ordinary life, despite the large size, the birds are quite maneuverable in the air. They can perform truly astounding pirouettes.

Video: Common Pigeon (Columba palumbus)