Interesting Facts About Pigeons

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Pigeons are known for their remarkable navigational abilities, with some able to find their way back to their nests from hundreds of kilometers away. However, their navigation skills are not the only fascinating thing about these birds.

Citing the IPB University website, IPB University Ecology Genetics expert Prof. Ronny Rachman Noor, said that pigeons are related to birds belonging to the same family group as the dodo. The dodo itself is widely known as an icon of extinction. Human interaction with pigeons has also existed for thousands of years. Historical records indicate that this relationship dates back to around 3,000 BC in Mesopotamia, Iraq.

Pigeons are also known for their highly social nature. Prof. Ronny explained, pigeons usually live in groups of around 20 to 30 birds. Living in groups is one of the interesting characteristics of these birds and supports various aspects of their daily activities.

Another well-known characteristic of pigeons is their loyalty to their mates. Once pigeons form a pair, their bond can last for life. Pigeon pairs also usually raise two chicks at a time. Both the male and female play an active role in raising their young, from incubating the eggs to feeding and caring for the chicks.

Pigeons also have a unique way of feeding their young. Both male and female pigeons can produce a milk-like substance known as crop milk. This substance is fed to their chicks to support their growth and development. Only three groups of birds are known to produce this milk-like substance for their young: pigeons, flamingos, and male emperor penguins.

Pigeons' ability to recognize humans has also attracted the attention of researchers. A study published in the journal Avian Biology Research found that pigeons are able to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people. The study also showed that facial characteristics play a role in pigeons' ability to recognize humans.

Meanwhile, pigeons' navigational abilities have also been the subject of scientific research. Studies of homing pigeons have shown that these birds are capable of learning and remembering flight routes. GPS tracking research has even found that pigeons flying in groups can navigate more efficiently than birds flying alone.

This ability has allowed pigeons to serve as messengers throughout history. Before modern communication technologies were developed, homing pigeons were used to carry messages from one place to another, relying on their ability to return to a familiar location.

These facts show that pigeons are more than just birds commonly found in urban areas. Their remarkable navigation skills, social behavior, loyalty to their mates, ability to recognize humans, and unique way of caring for their young make pigeons one of the most fascinating bird species.