(Columbia livia)
Pigeons "typically have a grey body with a whitish rump,
two black bars on the secondary wing feathers, a broad black
band on the tail, and red feet." Pigeons can vary in body
colour, from grey to white, tan, and black. The average length
of a pigeon is about 300mm, and their average weight is approximately
350gms.
Habitat:
Pigeons have become an urban bird, and highly depended on
humans for food, roosting and nesting areas. Pigeons are
most commonly
found around feeding areas, parks, schools, city buildings,
bridges, homes, and many other structures.
General Biology:
The Pigeon was originally "introduced into the Australia
as a domesticated bird, but many escaped and formed feral populations.
These birds have become the most common nuisance urban bird.
Pigeons will inhabit any area that will offer them shelter from
the climate, for example: ornate architectural features of buildings,
lofts, church steeples, attics, and any place with openings that
allow for roosting, loafing, and nesting. Pigeon nests consist
of twigs, sticks, and grass clumped together to form a platform.
Pigeons are monogamous birds. "Eight to twelve days after
mating, the female will lay 1 or 2 eggs which hatch after approximately
18 days. The male, during this time, is providing nesting material
and guards the female and the nest." When pigeons are born,
they feed on pigeon milk which is "a liquid/solid substance
secreted in the crop of both adults that is regurgitated" into
the mouths of the young pigeons. Most young leave the nest at
approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. During this time another batch
of eggs have already been laid. Breeding most commonly occurs
during the spring and fall, but reproduction can occur during
any season. A flock of pigeons will normally have an equal amount
of males and females. A pigeon's normal lifespan in nature is
about 3 to 4 years.
Damage:
"Pigeon droppings
deface and accelerate the deterioration
of buildings and increase the cost of maintenance." Vegetation
will decay with the presence of pigeon
droppings, which will create an odour
problem. Pigeon faeces that are dropped on "park
benches, statues, cars, and unwary pedestrians is aesthetically
displeasing." Pigeons
consume and contaminate large quantities of food that
is meant for human consumption around grain handling
facilities. Many
diseases can be contracted through contact with pigeon
droppings by humans and livestock. They are known to
be able to carry or
transmit: "pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, Newcastle
disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and
several other
diseases." Also, with the right conditions, pigeon
droppings can harbour "airborne spores of the causal
agent of histoplasmosis, and a systemic fungus disease
that can infect humans." Pigeons
also carry ectoparasites for example: fleas, lice, mites,
ticks, and other biting pests. The pigeons that are located
around airports
threaten human safety due to a possible bird-aircraft
collision.
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