Few people have seen newborn pigeons, so the question often arises: where do the pigeons hide their chicks? After all, these birds live not only in the wild, but also on city streets. They actively communicate with children and adults, without fear, take food from their hands. However, they stubbornly refuse to flaunt their offspring.
Can pigeons be seen?
Like any feathered creature, a dove hatches eggs and builds its nests. But he does it in places hidden from human eyes. For example, in the attic of a house, in a drain, under a balcony, in trees, in various niches. That is, where neither a person nor a predator can not notice and get them. Pigeons, being very caring parents, are simply afraid for their chicks, therefore they settle so apart.
Another reason why it is impossible to see pigeons is the late date of leaving the nest and the transition to independent life. That is why people meet young individuals, but not small chicks.
Where do pigeon chicks hide?
Pigeons are dedicated to each other. For example, males, in order to attract a female, perform mating dances, including pirouettes and nods. However, they absolutely do not pay attention to fellow tribesmen and people. What about the period when a pigeon pair is looking for a nesting site? At this time, they throw themselves into a fierce fight with other representatives of the bird fauna and only so that they like the place they got. They also relate to the protection of chicks, but in this case they prefer to hide them away from extraneous living creatures.
If we talk about wildlife, then many breeds of pigeons nest in rocky gorges, others on tree branches. It is problematic to find nests with pigeons in the city or village, as they equip them where there is no person. If it is an attic, then it’s exclusively one that people don’t visit, if a balcony, then from the side where the human hand does not reach.
They especially like old and unusual buildings (theaters, circuses, Khrushchevs and the like), where you can take refuge among the colonnades, architectural sculptures, etc.
Why?
It is already known that pigeons leave their parent nest at a young age, that is, at a time when they become independent. This is due to the fact that pigeon parents care too much about children. But there are other, more significant reasons:
- Their nests are so hidden that it is difficult to get their enemies. And there are practically no pigeons, so they do not try to grow up quickly.
- Pigeons feed their chicks with their own milk. It does not burn out for a long time (only flamingos and some species of penguins do the same).
Pigeons are completely uncompromising in their own safety, even to the point that when danger is approaching, they can leave nests with chicks. For this reason, people should not even try to find a bird house to look at the chicks. Otherwise, they will die.
How do pigeons grow up?
Scientists studying the life of pigeons have long discovered that the dove has the ability to often hatch eggs. A couple of weeks after hatching is enough for this. And since the pigeons are under the care of their parents for a long time, it turns out that in one nest there are individuals of different ages and, accordingly, sizes. When a little dove hatches new offspring, but there are also chicks, their upbringing completely lies on the shoulders of the male.
Growing Process:
- Pigeons are born blind and without feather cover. On the body you can see only a light fluff.
- They can not be left alone, since there is still no constant body temperature.
- During the first 15 days, the chicks grow actively, increasing in size, and only after this time their development slows down (they grow a couple of times more).
- The cannon is gradually replaced by feathers over the course of a month, so after exiting the flock, doves do not differ from adults.
- The beak is fully formed after 2 weeks.
If the female dies, the young feed the pigeon. If the male dies, then the dove becomes unable to independently breed offspring. Despite the increased care, a pigeon pair almost always leaves sick cubs, so the population of pigeons is healthy.
The exit of chicks in the flock
Pigeon chicks leave the nest in the flock, starting from the 28th day after birth, but the maximum period is 34 days. These are still fairly young individuals that people do not pay attention to. However, there are significant differences:
- Mature chicks are very shy, as they are not yet familiar with the environment and the person.
- Their plumage is significantly different - it is dull, without bright colors. Missing and iridescent feathers, as in adults.
- There is no imposing behavior (when pigeons walk along the street, absolutely not afraid of people). Young animals do not fit behind crumbs and keep apart.
- Young individuals move fast enough. This can be called a run.
- If pigeons leave the nest after 28-30 days, then they always follow their parents everywhere, asking for food.
- Chicks who have crossed the line in 34 days are already independently looking for food, but still try to stay closer to their father and mother.
- Quite often in the daytime a whole flock of youngsters is created, since together they feel more confident.
Breeding pigeons is a very secretive process, pigeons for raising chicks pick up the most secluded corners that people do not have access to. They feed them with bird milk for a long time, take care and do not let out until full maturity. That is why it is impossible to detect pigeons in childhood.
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Russia. City: Zheleznogorsk
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