Rock pigeons or Rock doves are one of the most popular birds in the world. Their scientific name is Columba Livia. You will find these birds all over the world except Antarctica. They have a population of 120 million worldwide. These birds are originally native from Europe to North Africa and India and are most common in North America. They have wild habits of nesting, breeding, and collecting food, etc. Nowadays, they have been raised by humans, domesticated, and taken around the world for various purposes such as food, homing, racing, carrying messages, and research.
These birds are social and typically have one partner. They lay 2 eggs sometimes only one. Both parents share the incubation process. It takes around 18 days for their eggs to hatch. They produce “crop milk,” which helps the baby pigeons grow faster. Both parents feed their babies. Baby pigeons leave their nest at 3 weeks and usually stay with their partner since birth.
Pigeons peck at food on the ground and drink by placing their bill in water, using it like a straw. Their diet consists of different types of seeds, pulses, tiny amounts of eggshell, ash, soil, etc. A male pigeon courts his mate by bowing, cooing, inflating his throat, and strutting in a circle around the female. You can raise rock pigeons in your backyard. They will provide your family with a source of fresh meat and good nutrition. These birds are easy to care for and can be raised for commercial purposes, creating income and job opportunities for you. With good care, they have a lifespan of 6 years.
