BIRDS | EDUCATION
5 Birds That Will Change Your Opinion of Pigeons
Okay, folks, I get it — pigeons are kinda gross. They dig about in trash cans, hang out in gutters, poop all over everything, and if you’ve ever had one nest outside your window, you know what a bad time that is.
The poor, old Rock Dove has a bad reputation. Even so, I love them. Controversial opinion, I know. But they’re unique birds that have their own cool attributes. Did you know they’re one of the few birds that produce milk for their babies? Yep, pigeons lactate like mammals … except they excrete it from their crop and regurgitate it for their chicks. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best fact to lead with.
It could be a tall order to sell you on back-alley flying rats. But the family Columbidae has more than just one bird in it. There are over 300 species of pigeons and doves* flapping their way about this world, and today I’m going to introduce you to five of the best.
1. Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria)
If ever there was an aptly named bird, this is it. This pigeon wears the crown. It is the largest pigeon species in the world, getting up to 80cm (31 inches) long. They hail from the island of New Guinea and mostly hang out on the forest floor. I mean, hey, when you’re a big beefy bird, it’s a real effort to get into the air.
They’re rare in the wild but are frequently kept in aviaries … for reasons that are too obvious and numerous to point out. Just look at that poppin’ plumage! They’re named after Queen Victoria, but how appropriate it is for a New Guinea bird to have an English monarch’s name, I’ll leave for you to decide.
2. Luzon Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica)
From the island of New Guinea, we jump over to the Philippines and the island of Luzon for one of the most visually striking pigeons that ever strut its stuff. There are no prizes for guessing how this bird got its name: they possess a patch of blood-red breast feathers that gradually fade from the centre. It has the unsettling but eye-catching quality of making the pigeon look like it’s been shot.
Just like its bulkier cousin, the Bleeding-heart is also endangered in the wild. Deforestation is a major threat to its survival, but it is also trapped as part of the illegal pet trade. Sometimes being a drop-dead gorgeous bird comes with its own set of risks.
3. Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)
This jazzy little pigeon is a desert-dwelling species from Australia. With their dusky orange colouring and dark, banned wings, they’re perfectly camouflaged for the sun-drenched environs of the outback. And hey, the extra-long crest feathers are just a bonus.
They’re rather weak flyers and favour escape on foot unless they’re in a dire situation. They are well suited to their desert homes and have a few unique features that allow them to stay cool without losing precious water.
4. Jambu Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus jambu)
I’m not going to lie. I could have picked any fruit dove — they’re all gorgeous. But the Jambu Fruit Dove, while maybe not the most flamboyant, always makes you pause for a double-take. Its lush green back and wings seem designed to help it hide in its tropical jungle home. But its plum facial mask stands out like a clown’s nose and makes the rest of its head seem almost undersized. And for good measure, it’s got a swash of blush pink on its chest.
A shy and retiring bird, they like to keep to the forest canopy where they feed — as the name suggests — on fruit. They live on the islands of Indonesia and Malaysia, but like many of the birds here, they’re under threat from deforestation.
5. Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
Alright, I’ve saved the best for last. The Nicobar Pigeon is maybe the most gorgeous bird on the planet. It has incredible iridescent feathers that flash emerald green, fiery red, sunset orange, and yellow, depending on how they catch the light. Not to mention its equally handsome neck tassels. Honestly, there aren’t enough birds with tassels. And, as a fun aside, they’re also the closest living relative of the Dodo.
These pigeons may be beautiful on the outside, but they’re also beautiful on the inside. And I don’t mean they have a winning personality. They grow an unusual gizzard stone in their digestive system. These stones help break down hard seeds and nuts from their diet. But they’re also rather pretty, and this has meant they sometimes get trapped and killed so people can craft jewellery from the stones. It’s an awful thing to happen to such a beautiful bird.
And if they’re not being trapped for jewellery, it’s for the pet trade. They face threats on several fronts, not to mention that old demon, deforestation. It's a common theme for the much-maligned pigeon. Four of the five I’ve shown you today are endangered in their native homes.
These are beautiful creatures trying to carve out a small space in an ever-diminishing world. We have a responsibility to try and make sure they have a safe place to live. So if you have a spare penny or two, consider helping out some of the fine folks doing their best to protect our feathered friends over at Birdlife International. The birds will thank you.
And maybe the next time you see a crummy old pigeon, take a closer look. They aren’t all that different from their more exotic cousins. Notice the subtle patches of iridescent feathers about their neck and throat. See how the light catches and plays to create a myriad of different colours, and maybe you’ll start to see the more beautiful bird that’s always been there.
*There isn’t any formal difference between pigeons and doves. Traditionally, larger species are called pigeons and the smaller ones are called doves, but this isn’t done in any systematic way. They’re basically the same bird.
