What Do Pigeons Eat

An animal that can accompany us throughout our lives. Pigeons are one of the best known birds on the planet and can be seen in many parts of the world. Considered by some people as domestic birds, the popularity of pigeons since historical time is something that no one can refute.

They come in colors like grey, brown and black with some greenish and purple spots. The most notorious are the white doves, because they have been used as a symbol of peace  in different nations. That is why the sentimental value attached to these animals grows over time.

Extremely intelligent animals, which have served for the human being to execute innumerable feats. Pigeons are companions, not only for what they do, but also because, being so docile, they tend to be in large numbers in squares and avenues of our cities.

Due precisely to their mental abilities they were used as messengers, although before that the Egyptians had already domesticated them more than 5 thousand years ago. They are used in competitions and in older times their excrement was used to make gunpowder.

They can also be seen very easily in the field, where they are in charge of mischief in search of their favorite food, that is, grains. But if its reproduction is controlled, as it should be, there will be no problem with its presence being part of our lives.

Pigeons are impressive animals; a curious fact about them is that they have incredible eyesight, being able to see up to 26 miles and travel 700 miles or more, in a single day.  Having them so present, we would not think that they would travel so much of the way in such short periods of time.

Equivalent to this, they are extremely faithful animals since they make up a single family throughout their lives, that is, the same male with the same female. They are a good example of organization since the care of the eggs is distributed among both members of the couple, at night and during the day.

If what you are looking for is a pet that is with you for a long time, you can try a pigeon if you like birds. We tell you this because under good care they can live up to 30 years  cockatoo and are more docile than one.

Around pigeons there are also many myths or false beliefs that need to be disproved. For example, there is a very funny one that says that if these birds eats uncooked rice they can explode, this is completely false but there are people who believe it to be a reality.

What do you need:

• Pigeons
• Grain
• Fruits
• Waste
• Seeds
• Vegetables

Instructions

How to feed pigeons:

1. Grains. The main source of food for pigeons has always been grains. Despite the fact that times have changed and these birds have adapted to city life, pigeons still prefer grains as their main source of nutrients over anything else. Among his favorites are some such as oats, broad beans, flax and corn. Rice is also part of their diet. When we go to ask about these foods in any store, they should be asked for with the name mixture, which is a combination that supports them both in carbohydrates and fats as well as in proteins.
2. Fruits and vegetables. Another food that is quite peculiar and loved by these animals is fruits and vegetables. These sustain them in different vitamins that they need to maintain an optimal state of health. It is for this reason, and because of the intake of grains, that part of the scientific community considers them granivorous herbivores.  Spinach, carrot sticks and lettuce are some of the favorite vegetables of pigeons. Other foods that can be given are escarole and watercress. The important thing is that there is a certain facility to digest them and carry it in small pieces. Some fruits that are easy for them to peck and gobble up are the ones that they can take advantage of thanks to their fall to the ground. Some of the fruits that they usually find are apples, some berries and even grapes.
3. Insects. One of the reasons why these animals are doubtful are herbivores is because they also quite enjoy eating the different insects found in nature. The small insects are very easy to obtain and there are also sufficient quantities to support the needs of the pigeons. Species such as ants, worms and moths are at the mercy of the beak of these birds. In addition, they also obtain them when they are in full activity, that is, flying, or when they get them on the walls of houses and buildings in the most urban areas that they inhabit.
4. Food scraps. One of the most popular foods, which form the diet of pigeons that live in the same area as humans, is food scraps. Pigeons are capable of eating almost anything that falls to the ground and is left at their mercy. From breadcrumbs to whatever fruit is found, it will be put to good use. Another thing by which they are defined is by devouring the waste they get in the dumps of the areas in which they live. Many people throw away rotting food, fruit and vegetable peelings, or leftovers. These are used by birds to end their hunger quickly.
5. In freedom. When we refer to your freedom specifically we speak of nature. Leaving aside the urban areas or the countryside where they can find orchards or waste to feed on. There are also wild pigeons that are in the woods looking for something to eat.  In these cases the pigeons feed on everything that we have mentioned above. Rural plants and different grains are the main elements that make up their diet making them stronger to survive in this particular environment. They also get to consume snails and different fruits.
6. Pigeons as pets. The feeding of pigeons that are raised as pets should be as balanced as possible. Care must be taken with each of the foods that are given to these birds since they have to be easy for them to eat and must have all the nutrients that they get in nature by themselves. Sometimes, apart from food such as fruits, grains, seeds or vegetables, it is recommended that they be given special pills for them that contain proteins that complement them. It is also essential that they have enough water during the day for optimal hydration.
7. They eat practically everything. As you have been able to realize, each of the species eat practically everything, whether they are in nature or in urban planning. For this reason, another part of the scientists who study them consider them omnivorous birds due to their versatility. The variability that these birds possess is so great that they can even consume meat if they are in need. The garbage, the food they get in the squares or streets, the food from the countryside such as seeds as well as the fruits and vegetables from the trees and insects; each of these foods can form an important part of a pigeon’s diet.
8. The pigeons. Like most animals, when they are in their youngest state, they have a different diet than when they are adult pigeons. The chicks of these birds, in their first days of life, consume everything that their parents leave at their disposal but that is quite simple for their stomach to digest it very easily since they are usually quite delicate in this regard.

Tips

• If you get a pigeon chick we can advise you to try to return it to its place of origin.  Many chicks fall out of their nests when they are very young and it helps a lot if you find a way to get them back home.
• In the event that his mother rejects him or you do not get the place he came from, you can find a way to take care of him and feed him while she grows and learns to support herself.
• There are many unscrupulous people who seek to harm these animals, advise them regarding them so that the mistreatment that exists around them ceases due to the different fears that pigeons can cause in human beings.
• There are some scientists who believe that in order to avoid the overpopulation of pigeons; we must stop feeding them in the parks and avenues of our cities. You have to inform yourself about it since this topic is quite delicate and you cannot issue random opinions about it.
• Pigeons might be the closest birds to humans and she still retains many of her natural behaviors. Despite this, they are usually quite docile. The least we can do is protect them as the living beings they are and deny the myths that exist around them.