rock pigeons and other species. Description and interesting details

Pigeons can be found in practically any area. These omnipresent birds do not often arouse positive reactions from passers -by, but also have their fans. What is the reason for this discrepancy in the attitude towards pigeons?

The origin of the pigeons in urban areas

The domestic pigeon (urban) derives from the rock pigeon. A test in this sense is the possibility of obtaining fertile descendants crossing the two species.

In Poland there are five species of pigeons:

• rock pigeon
• Forest pigeon
• pigeon of the collar
• pigeon
• icicle

Species of wild pigeons

The rock pigeon

What do you wait for a rock pigeon?

This species of pigeon reaches up to 35-40 cm in length and a weight of 400 – 420 g. On the gray wings of the rock pigeon there are two longitudinal stripes, while on the bottom the wings are completely white. The legs are red, finished with black claws. The irides of the rock pigeon rock are red.

Life of rock pigeons
These pigeons nest in the colonies, usually in the cracks of the rocks. They get strongly attacked to their habitat. The nests of rock pigeons are not complicated: they are small piles of roasts arranged curly. They are built by a couple, both parents are involved in the breeding of chicks, although the male contribution is greater. The rock pigeon eggs are white, with a light green shine. The chicks hatching after 16-19 days and leave the nest after about 35 days of life.

The rock pigeon is a rather fast pigeon, its flight speed can reach 60-70 km/h. The duration of life is about 3 years.

The rock pigeon is a partially protected species in Poland.

The pigeon of the forest

What does the pigeon of the forest look like?

The pigeon of the forest is the largest wild pigeon in Poland. An adult individual reaches a body weight of 450-600 g, with a length of the body of 45-50 cm. This bird has a gray color with a white ribbon. Feathers on the chest have a purple shine.

The life of the pigeon

The pigeon of the forest is a semi-migratory bird. He arrives in Poland in Scandinavia in April and returns to his birth region at the end of September-October.

The pigeons of the forest are completely monogamous birds. They mate once in a lifetime and raise their chicks together. The male is the one who builds the nest and takes care of the female as he lays the eggs. They are a kind of quiet pigeons, which rarely speaks and rarely puts itself in the midst of people. The nests are built up to 3 m from the ground. However, it is allowed to hunt this pigeon in Poland, but only between 15.08-30.11.

Pigeon with Eurasian collar

What does a pigeon have?

The pigeons with collar are smaller than the rock pigeons. Reach a body weight of about 200 g. Their body is thin and the tail is very long. They are the gray cream, with a gray head. The iris of the eyes is yellow red. There is no sexual dwelling in reactions: females have the same size as males.

Pigeon life with collar

In Poland, they meet throughout the year and are sedentary and synthropic birds. They adapted well to life in the urban environment, in mind company with people. They build high nests on the trees, but they are quite negligent, being destroyed after the chicks have been raised.

It is under close protection in Poland.

Stock dove (pigeon pigeon)

What does a pigeon have?

This is a kind of pigeon with a sinuous gray feather. The sides of the neck are green, with a strong metal glow. The beak is yellow. They are small and small pigeons. The adult bird reaches a body weight of 250 – 300 g, with a length of the body of 33 cm.

Stock pigeon life

In Poland, it is found in the plains and it is unlikely that it ventures into the mountainous regions. He prefers to live in deciduous forests, far from the agitation of the cities. It is a very shy bird, difficult to see. Use the cavities already present on the trees to live and build their nest. It is a protected monogam pigeon.

icicle

What does a turtle have?

The turtle is a thin and small pigeon. An adult turtle weighs only 140-160 GE has a body length of about 27 cm. The turtle has a very characteristic feather. The head and back are colored in gray, while on the head there are 3 white stripes and the wings are blue, yellow and black feathers. The turtle legs are red. There is some sexual dwelling in this species.

Life of turtles

In Poland, turtles are located across the country, but it is a migratory bird, which arrives at the end of April and early May. The nests of the turtles are superficial and low construction, but in the upper part of the trees. Both the male and the female are involved in the deposition of eggs and in the breeding of chicks. Turtles are strictly protected species.

The presence of pigeons

Urban pigeons are found in almost all the climatic areas of the world.
Rock pigeons are a rarer species. In Poland, he can be found in Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska and in the table mountains. And all over the world in Asia Minor, India, China and Europe.

Life of the pigeons

Pigeons are arboreal birds. The construction of the nests, the choice of the habitat depends on the specificity of the species, but the common characteristics are the breeding of birds. The pigeons have between 1 and 3 chickens per year, the female usually laying 2 eggs, whose appearance depends on the species and the race. Eggs need 15-19 days to splash.

Pigeons have the senses of vision, hearing, taste, smell, orientation, recognition of electromagnetic fields, tactiles (nancepti, temperature, balance, proprioception). The weakest sense of pigeons is hearing and the strongest is the vision.

How much does a pigeon live?

The life expectancy of a pigeon depends on species, living conditions, refuge, nutrition and health. Reproductive pigeons (ornamental and racing pigeons) live over – up to 25-32 years and can be fertile until the end of their life. The shorter life of life has pigeons from a lack of breeding, those obtained incestuous and those who live in unfavorable conditions – therefore the duration of the pigeon life is only 3-5 years.

What do pigeons eat?

The pigeons are herbivorous birds, only occasionally hunt and eat small insects or invertebrates. In the first 5 days of life, the pigeon chicks are fed with the so -called milk (a liquid -shaped cheese) and in the next 5 days they receive extra cereals. After the 15th day of life, the chicks must manage to buy their food.

When birds are nourished or reproduce pigeons are fed, ready -based cereal mixtures are often used. The most common ingredients in the mixtures of pigeons are corn, peas, sunflower, wheat and rice. In addition, forage for pigeons should include peanuts, rapeseed seeds and flax.

Proteins and fats are the most important in the nutrition of pigeons. Proteins provide amino acids, in particular methionine, which is the basic element of bird feathers. Grassi provide energy and ability to absorb nice vitamins.

The history of the pigeons

The excavations show that the rock pigeon appeared in human habitats up to 10 – 12,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period – the era so called smooth stone. On the contrary, the abomestication of the rock pigeon itself took about 5,000 – 7000 years ago in Fenicia. In comparison, the chickens were tamed about 5,000 years ago and the geese 3,000 years ago. Therefore, it is the first domestic bird.

Initially, the desire to tame and maintain the pigeons is rigorously coming from religious cult. The pigeons had to symbolize peace and kindness and were linked to the gods of love and fertility. In ancient times, the pigeons received another name: that of the «pure birds». He was linked to the lack of the ball in the digestive tract of the pigeons. The greatest cult of piccioni developed in Assyria. So far, the followers of Islam do not eat pigeon meat.

In the coming years, people began to recognize the ability of the pigeons to achieve their goals quickly and precisely, the speed of their flight and, at the same time, their attachment to the place of life. This combination has led to ideal aviators, able to transport small and light materials. This is how it worked with the ongoing pigeons. Subsequently, the aesthetic qualities of some species of pigeons were noted and attempts were made to improve these birds.

Ornamental pigeons

In recent years, the growth of ornamental pigeons has increased in popularity. Currently, there are two official associations involved in the cultivation of pigeons:

The Polish Association of Travel Pictures Breeders (PZHGP) – The priority in the growth of birds is to obtain the best possible flight performance with the characteristics of apparition of the affected pigeons. Breeders focus less on the appearance of birds and more on the style and flight speed, as well as on the excellent orientation of birds on the ground. The association has over 45,000 breeders

The Polish Association of competition pigeons and good animals: the association focuses on obtaining perfect birds from an external point of view. Birds must appear in the best possible way, without any defect. Bird’s flight skills are not perfected in growth. The association has about 4500 breeders

Proverbs with pigeons in the main role

«Better a sparrow in a punch than a pigeon on the roof»
«Cunning as a snake, kind as a pigeon»
«Censorship forgives Corbi but harasses the pigeons»
«Hearts of pigeons»

Karolina łuszczyk

Photo: Canva.com