For your information

07-20-2007, 04:42 AM

For those of you who wonder:

Pigeon Questions and Answers

How big are pigeons?
From bill to tail, the average pigeon is about 13 inches. Males are bigger than females. The average pigeon weighs a little less than a pound.
Do pigeons come in more than seven color morphs?
Yes! There may be as many as 28 different color morphs. Project PigeonWatch only uses seven of the most common morphs, to make counting easier.
What color are pigeon eyes?
Adult pigeons have orange or red-orange eyes. Young pigeons under eight months old have brown or gray-brown eyes.
What color are pigeon legs and feet?
Many pigeons have red legs and feet but the color can range from pink to gray-black. Their claws are usually gray-black. On red or white pigeons, the claws are sometimes white. Some pigeons wear "stockings," which are feathers that cover their legs and feet.
How well do pigeons see?
Pigeons have very good eyes. They can see colors. They also can see ultraviolet light, which human beings cannot see.
What do pigeons eat?
Just about anything! Pigeons are not fussy eaters. They have only 37 taste buds, while you have 9,000.
How do pigeons drink?
Pigeons suck up water by using their beaks like straws. This is different from most birds. Most birds take sips of water and then throw their heads back to let the water trickle down their throats.
What sounds do pigeons make?
Pigeons make lots of different sounds. Their main sound is used by males to attract mates or defend their territories: coo roo-c'too-coo. The call they make from their nest is oh-oo-oor. A pigeon call of alarm is oorhh! Baby pigeons make sounds by snapping their beaks or hissing. After mating, male birds make loud noises by clapping their wings together.
How do pigeons raise their babies?
Pigeons make nests of small twigs or stems which the males bring to the females one piece at a time. The nests are usually well-hidden, such as on high ledges, under bridges, or in empty buildings. Pigeons usually lay two white eggs. The parents take turns keeping the eggs warm. Males usually stay on the nest during the day and the females stay on the nest at night. Eggs take about 18 days to hatch. Both parents produce a special milk which they feed, beak to beak, to their young during the first week. Scientists think that once pigeons mate, they stay together for life.
Do pigeons have any enemies?
Hawks and other large animal-eating birds (birds of prey) catch and eat pigeons. The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey that lives in some cities and feeds on pigeons. In many cities, however, pigeons have no enemies.
How fast and far can pigeons fly?
Pigeons can fly 40 to 50 miles per hour. Most city pigeons stay close to home, flying less than 12 miles in a day. However, their wing muscles are strong and they can fly much further if necessary. Some pigeons have traveled 600 miles in a day!
How long do pigeons live?
Pigeons can live about five years in the wild. They sometimes live for more than 15 years when raised by people.