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What's So Special About Pigeons?

That's what some people say about pigeons. In fact, that's what a lot of people say about these birds.

But did you ever notice that pigeons come in so many colors and feather patterns? Did you ever notice their shiny, rainbow-like neck feathers or their red feet? Did you ever notice the interesting way that pigeons coo and strut?

The fact is, pigeons are special. They are special because there is such variety in the way they look. Blue Jays all look very much alike, and so do robins and cardinals. But find a flock of pigeons and you will see white ones and gray ones. You will see pigeons with blue-gray feathers and pigeons with red feathers. You will see solid-colored pigeons and speckled pigeons. Look long enough and you will be able to tell them apart, give them names, and get to know their habits.

Pigeons are special because they can fly very fast. In fact, some can fly 50 miles per hour! Pigeons also have very strong "homing instincts" that help them find their way back from far away. Pigeons make great pets, too. Many people build little houses called "coops" for pigeons in their backyards or on rooftops. They let their pet pigeons fly free because, unlike canaries or parrots, pigeons will come back home.

There is one other thing that is special about pigeons. This is the fact
that bird scientists know less about city pigeons than they do about many other wild birds. It is surprising that such a common bird is such a mystery. But because they are everywhere, scientists seem to have overlooked them.

Only recently did many scientists realize how interesting pigeons are. They have many questions about them. For example, they want to know why pigeons come in so many colors. They want to know how pigeons choose their mates. These questions are important because the answers will tell us not only about pigeons but about birds in general. The answers also will help us learn more about other wildlife, about our land and skies, and about ourselves as "human animals."

To answer these questions, bird scientists have designed a research project called Project PigeonWatch. People just like you from all over the world are involved in it. These participants are called PigeonWatchers. PigeonWatchers collect information on their pigeons in their cities. Then they send that information to the scientists, who enter it into computers. They print out maps that show the information by location. These maps show how pigeons are alike and different from place to place.

Project PigeonWatch could not happen without hundreds of "citizen scientists" like you who collect information from so many different places. Taking part in Project PigeonWatch is important, but it is also easy and fun. Interested in becoming a PigeonWatcher? Read on!

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A History of Pigeons

Pigeons have been on this earth at least 20 million years. That is longer than humans! Scientists know this from fossils, which are remains of bones that have been preserved in rock.

The original pigeons lived among cliffs and rocky ledges in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. These pigeons are known as Rock Doves, and they still exist today. All Rock Doves are the same blue-bar color morphs.

About 5,000 to 10,000 years ago, humans began to capture and raise pigeons. Some they raised for food, some for racing, and some to carry messages.

People also raised pigeons for their beautiful feathers. Over many generations, this is how pigeons acquired such a wide range of color morphs.

The first pigeons in North America were brought over by people from Europe who settled in Canada in the early 1600s. Pigeons that escaped from settlers formed the wild flocks you see in cities today. These wild birds live among city buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures in the same way their ancestors used to live among cliffs and rocky ledges.

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What To Expect When Pigeon Watching

All you need to get started is some curiosity about pigeons! If you have made your flash cards, take them into your neighborhood because they will come in handy. The only other thing you need to remember is that you will be outdoors, so, dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Now you are ready for the information-gathering part of Project PigeonWatch. Scientists call this "data collecting." Go outside to a pigeon "hang-out," which is a place where pigeons gather. You will toss out bird food to attract the pigeons and count all the pigeons. Next, count the number of pigeons of each color morph. If there is time and your pigeons are courting, you may stay to observe courtship behavior. Finally, keep a written record of the information you collected and send it to the scientists.
 

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