Pigeons and doves, the birds that compose the family Columbidae, are a diverse group bound together by appearance and behavior. While there’s much variation, pigeons and doves tend to share similar body shapes & form, and perform similar behaviors such as nesting with loose material and gathering in highly social flocks. There’s actually no true difference between a pigeon and dove – the common feral bird known as the ‘pigeon’ we’re all familiar with is actually known as the rock dove.
Most commonly, these birds are called pigeons, but white variations of the same species are called doves. There’s a lot to learn about these curious and highly intelligent birds – you may be asking yourself how long pigeons can live for, granted that they often have challenging lives in city environments. We’re here to give you the answers, and help you learn more about pigeons along the way.
Pigeon Species – What’s the Difference?
The rock dove, also known as the feral pigeon, is perhaps the most commonly known pigeon species. With over 1,000 domesticated breeds of rock dove, they are well beloved by humans as often as they are regarded as a city pest; pigeons have been used for food, companionship, and as mail carriers. However, the pigeon & dove family, Columbidae, is composed of 353 known species.
These birds are found across the world and range from the humble rock dove to the hefty Victoria crowned pigeon and the eye-catching Luzon bleeding heart dove. So, when you’re researching pigeons, it’s good to get specific – you may end up with confusing or contradictory information if you’re just searching ‘pigeon’.
Pigeon Lifespan – How Long Do Pigeons Live?
The average lifespan of a pigeon may vary based on various factors – species, whether the bird is wild or domesticated, and more. However, the common pigeon (rock dove) we all know and love is known to have a lifespan of approximately 2-6 years in the wild, though this can be shortened by predators, disease and other factors that less commonly impact pet birds. Pet rock doves can live much longer – 15 years on average with proper care. Lots of factors impact the health of domestic rock doves, including good breeding, proper diet, time to exercise and a good habitat.
Some breeds, such as the Old German Owl, have been overbred for certain characteristics (in this bird’s case, a short beak) and may have shorter lifespans on average than most other rock doves. Some individual birds may live longer – a pigeon named Kaiser, who was used to deliver messages during both World Wars, was recorded to be 32 years old when he died.
Some pigeon species lead longer lifespans, particularly larger species. The Victoria crowned pigeon, a popular bird in zoos and aviaries, lives for 20-25 years in the wild, but can surpass 35 years in captivity.
What Impacts Pigeons’ Lifespans?
All domestic birds can live longer, happier lives when receiving proper care in captivity. In the wild, pigeons are vulnerable to many potential causes of illness or death. Pigeons may die as a result of human impact, such as eating litter or inedible objects in city environments, being struck by cars, or breathing in polluted air (despite what you might assume, pigeons’ lungs, like many other birds, are very sensitive).
They can also die of a variety of more natural causes, such as hawk strikes, predation by various other animals, or disease spread between birds. Pigeons have a mortality rate of approximately 90% within the first year of their lives, meaning only 10% of pigeons make it to adulthood; however, after that point, mortality is low.
What can you do to make a domestic pigeon live to the full extent of their lifespan? First, picking a hardy breed of pigeon can help you get a bird with a long lifespan. Feeding a high-quality diet along with grit to help pigeons digest their food will give them better health than feeding low-quality food lacking in nutrition.
And providing a pigeon flight where birds can get plenty of exercise will help them lead more enriched, healthier lives. Additionally, pigeons are typically social birds, so if you have a sole pigeon, they would likely benefit from a friend (with a proper introduction).
Conclusion
While most wild pigeons’ lifespans are short, typically less than 5 years, many factors can impact how long pigeons live. Like most other bird species, domestic versions of this bird often live long, happy lives with good care practices. To help feral pigeons and other birds in your area live longer lives, consider taking action to make life better for them.
Keeping human trash contained in trash cans, keeping cats (who predate on birds even when full) indoors, and keeping bird feeding areas clean to prevent the spread of disease can all help your local feathered friends live to the fullest extent of their natural lifespans. Additionally, offering healthy foods, like high-quality birdseed, will help your avian friends stay healthy – avoid common offerings that can actually harm them such as moldy bread.
And, if you find a sick or injured pigeon, it’s probably not best to try to help on your own – they’re more likely to get back to living their lives with the help of a wildlife rehabber or bird rescue.
