Pigeon Babies Do Exist
6/14/20262 min
Rock Pigeons are one of the most common urban birds. But why do we never see baby pigeons? Some baby birds — like down-covered ducks, geese, and chickens — leave their nest shortly after hatching and do a lot of growing up while following their parents around. Others, like pigeons, depend on their parents to feed and protect them, well into their youth. They stay in the nest — under bridges and awnings, for instance — until they're nearly as big as the adult birds.
Support for BirdNote is provided by Mary Pigott of Seattle, Washington — and generous listeners around the world.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMichael Stein· Host0:00
This is BirdNote. [pigeon cooing] That soft cooing sound comes from common pigeons called rock pigeons. Every spring, down-covered mallard ducklings follow their mother across a pond. Goslings graze alongside their Canada geese parents in waterfront parks. Baby chickens peck the ground soon after hatching. But why do we never see baby pigeons? Some baby birds, like those down-covered ducks, geese, and chickens, leave their nest shortly after hatching and do a lot of growing up while following their parents around. Others, like pigeons, stay in the nest and depend on their parents to feed and protect them well into their youth. When young rock pigeons finally leave the nest, they are full-sized with adult feathers, and they look like their parents. So unless you look carefully under a city bridge, you aren't likely to ever see a baby pigeon. [pigeons cooing] It's easy to imagine, when hearing soft cooing sounds like these, why baby pigeons would rather stay in the nest. But the reason is they wait to fledge until they are nearly independent, and the task of getting on with life is a bit easier. [pigeons cooing] For BirdNote, I'm Michael Stein. Support for BirdNote is provided by Mary Pigott from Seattle,