Pigeons, specifically the common urban bird, the feral pigeon or Rock Dove, do construct nests. While many people are surprised to learn they nest at all, these birds build a simple structure to hold their eggs and young. The seemingly poor quality of these nests often causes confusion, but they are a functional, minimal platform tailored to the bird’s specific needs and environment.
The Truth About Pigeon Nests
The public often views a pigeon nest as a haphazard collection of debris rather than a carefully woven structure, and this perception is largely accurate. Pigeons build structures that are simple platforms, often described as flimsy, messy, or barely a nest at all. The male pigeon typically selects the site and brings the materials to the female one at a time, who then arranges them into the final form.
The materials used are generally coarse and minimal, consisting of small twigs, stems, grasses, and whatever discarded items they can find. Unlike the intricately woven cups of many songbirds, the pigeon’s nest is essentially a flat pile designed to keep the eggs from rolling away on a level surface. This minimalist approach is a reflection of their ancestry, as the wild Rock Dove originally nested on rocky cliffs where the cliff face itself provided the main support. A complex, sturdy nest is simply unnecessary when the nest site is already stable and protected.
Pigeons often reuse their nests multiple times, adding new material with each breeding cycle. Over time, the accumulation of nesting material and droppings can transform the initially lightweight platform into a more substantial, pot-like mound.
Preferred Nesting Locations
The choice of nesting location is directly linked to the pigeon’s ancestral habit of living on sea cliffs and in caves. In the modern city, feral pigeons seek out man-made structures that mimic these natural, sheltered, flat surfaces. They prioritize sites that offer protection from predators and the elements, meaning they select already enclosed spaces.
Common locations include building ledges, window sills, fire escapes, and under bridges or overpasses. The birds also frequently nest in concealed areas like lofts, steeples, and the rafters of abandoned buildings, where they are protected on multiple sides. The requirement for a sheltered, flat surface explains why the flimsy nest is an effective solution: the structure they build merely lines a pre-existing secure spot.
The male pigeon typically chooses the site and then coos to attract his mate to the selected nook or cranny. This adaptation to urban architecture, using ledges and overhangs as substitutes for cliff faces, is a key reason the Rock Dove has thrived globally.
The Pigeon Reproductive Cycle
Pigeons are generally monogamous, often pairing for life, and they can breed year-round, with peak activity occurring in the spring and fall. The female typically lays a clutch of one or two small, white eggs, sometimes laying a third, but a pair rarely attempts to feed more than two young. Both parents share the task of incubation, which lasts approximately 18 days.
The male usually takes the incubation shift during the day, from mid-morning to late afternoon, while the female sits on the eggs for the remainder of the day and overnight. This cooperative behavior ensures the eggs remain at a consistent, optimal temperature for development. Once the young, known as squabs, hatch, they are altricial, meaning they are born helpless with sparse down and closed eyes.
For the first week of life, the squabs are fed exclusively on a unique substance called “crop milk” or “pigeon milk.” This non-dairy secretion is high in protein and fat and is produced by both the male and female parent. After the first week, the parents gradually introduce softened adult food into the squabs’ diet until the young are fully weaned. Fledging takes about 25 to 32 days.