Pigeons Description

Pigeons are characterized by their dark bluish-grey heads, necks and chests. They have glossy feathers around their wings and necks that are iridescence and range from greenish to reddish-purple in color.

They have distinctive twin black wing bars; with white lower back feathers. They have red feet and are 12”-15” tall and have a wingspan of 64-72 cm. They weigh 10oz-16oz. Pigeons are monogamous creatures. The male pigeon protects both the nest and the female and if their basic needs of food, water and shelter are met, they are capable of breeding year round, with a peak season from summer through fall.

They can begin breeding at six months of age and have one or two eggs at a time that both parents incubate for 15 or so days. Pigeons mate often and even before the squab is ready to leave the nest at four to six weeks after hatching, the next eggs have been laid.

Pigeons are social birds and develop a set pattern of behaviors that are driven by their instinct to care for their basic needs of food, water, resting, nesting, and shelter. Their diet consists of seeds and grains, but they are high adaptable birds and eat a large range of processed foods.

Their behaviors are very predictable in that they feed in the morning, loaf in the afternoon and roost at night. They are not migratory birds and are very committed to their roosting sites. They prefer to roost on building ledges, bridge supports, window sills and in air conditioning units.

Damage:

Pigeon feces, like all bird feces, has a high level of uric acid, which is extremely corrosive.  Fecal build-up on roosting sites quickly translates into the deterioration of equipment, signs, machines and inventory. Their preference to roost in HVAC units can cause damage to the units and the need to replace them well before would typically be necessary. Fecal build-up also translates into health and safety issues, with clogged drains and HVAC units causing air and water contamination. The scattering and accumulation of nesting debris also raises concerns for damage and safety risks. It can lead to air and water contamination as well as the deterioration of the structural integrity of your building and its contents.

Pigeon picture courtesy of Wikipedia