Pigeon pigeon: description and diet of the wild species, habitats and population status

"Vityuten", or "Vyakhir" - these are the names of the same species of pigeons that live in the forest belt. The bird attracts attention with its unusual size for a pigeon breed. The pigeon is much larger than its relatives, but in terms of other external features it almost does not differ from urban or domesticated pigeons of other breeds. The coloring of the feathers, which is characterized as calm and rich, makes it possible for the bird to hide among the trees from predators.

Origin of the species and description of the bird

The species of wild wood pigeons begins its history from the time of the existence of Ancient Greece.Historians note that in the descriptions there are references to wild birds that look like wood pigeons. The species exists for many centuries without visible changes. Characteristics of the external data of the pigeon:

1. Feather coloring. The main color background is blue-gray, brighter feathers are found among the tail plumage, there are small patches of reddish and green tint on the chest.
2. Weight and dimensions. The maximum weight for birds of this species is 1 kilogram. The body is oblong, elongated, reaches 50 centimeters in length. The head is proportional to the body, smoothly merges into the body.
3. Wings and paws. When opening the wing span reaches 80 centimeters. The wingspan allows you to reach speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour. Paws are pink-red, with sharp claws that help the bird to gain a foothold on the bark of trees.

Help! The average life expectancy of wood pigeons is 10-16 years.

Varieties of pigeons

There are up to 35 species in the genus of wood pigeons, they are distinguished by habitat and external differences.

DescriptionAzoresColoration is darker, found in the Azores archipelago IranianDifferent by lighter plumage colorAsianHas narrow yellowish spots on the neckNorth AfricanLives in northern Africa, has no external differencesGigiMeets in Sardinia

View

The main species have several dozen subspecies. The total number of varieties reaches 290 copies.

Habitat

Vyakhir lives in Europe, settles in Western Siberia, is found in Africa. The pigeon belongs to the category of migratory or partially migratory birds. The settlement of a pigeon is determined by its susceptibility to the temperature regime.

Help! Most of the population lives among conifers. A few pigeons settle near park areas.

Diet

The basis of the diet of wood pigeons is plant food. Pigeons feed on berries, young tree buds, seeds and grass. Often they find seeds, the remains of cereal crops in areas that separate forests from fields and meadows. If it is impossible to get the usual food, pigeons are able to eat clover leaves and cabbage. This indicates the high adaptive qualities of the species and the ability to survive in different conditions.

Help! Wood pigeons store food for a while, using physiological capabilities. A bird's crop holds up to 8 acorns.

In some cases, the pigeon feeds on worms and insects. This happens at the junction of the seasons, when it is difficult to get plant food, and strength is needed to survive.

Territory and habitat

The habitat for wood pigeons can be different. Birds live in dense coniferous forests, on the territory of mixed deciduous and coniferous zones. They adapt to the conditions of existence. Birds are often found where they have the opportunity to obtain acorns for food and build nests away from places where they can be hunted by humans.

Character and lifestyle

Vyakhir is often recognized by his voice. Its voice data is different from the characteristics of the pigeon breed of related species. These are characteristic loud sounds that fill the forest from early morning. Wood pigeons are silent only during the breeding season, when mating occurs.

In general, birds are constantly cautious, they are attentive to the sounds of the forest, quickly leave their homes when danger approaches. Pigeons are calm, do not start fights among themselves. Most often they keep in pairs, but at the same time they stray into numerous flocks in the fall, when the main part of the birds has offspring. Pigeons are very sociable among themselves, they are energetic and sociable birds that are constantly looking for the best place to build their nests.

Vyahirei is distinguished by the heterogeneous nature of the flight. A group of southern pigeons is removed for wintering in warm countries with the approach of cold weather, but northern birds arrive to replace it, which occupy their previously settled places. Flight times are different every year. Birds start moving in September, finish in a month. As the weather gets warmer, the birds gradually leave their places and begin their return flight.

When migrating, birds move during the day, at night they find shelter, hiding among the foliage of tall trees. The pigeons make their way back along the same route, stopping in the same places. When they fly for the winter, the flight is distinguished by swiftness, they rarely stop to rest during the day. After wintering, the flight takes longer. Each time there is a stop, the pigeons scatter in search of food, fill the crop, leisurely walk among the found fields or meadows with food.

Social structure and reproduction

In one season, females are able to give offspring 3 times. The breeding process begins in April and lasts until October. Pigeons are called faithful birds, they become attached to each other and behave like a separate family within the flock.

How does a pigeon pair form?

Puberty of pigeons comes to 10-11 months. From this point on, males actively lure females. They sit on the tops of trees and from early morning begin to attract attention with vocalizations. After the male realizes that he is interested in the female, he goes down. For some time, marriage games continue. They include the male circling around the female, two-way cooing.

Nest building

Mating games end with the laying of eggs. But before that, pigeons organize space for further incubation of offspring. Pigeons carefully select materials for construction, use thick and thin branches, carefully weave the branches into the frame, and build a solid floor. For the floor of the bird, a special soft coating is provided. The material for it is feathers from its own plumage, grass, crushed young branches. Nests are located at a height of 2 meters.Structures are distinguished by strength, reliability and convenience. It is permissible to create gaps between the interweaving of rods: they are necessary for light and air to enter inside.

Help! Wood pigeons never use the remains of nests of other breeds to build their own nest.

Hatching eggs

Female lays 2 eggs per oviposition. These are medium sized white eggs. Both parents take an active part in hatching offspring. They take turns warming the eggs with their warmth, taking turns getting food for each other. The nestling period lasts 2 weeks. The researchers note that all the time the birds are in a state of increased attention. When one dove is resting, warming up the eggs, the other guards the nest, regularly flies around the area, looking for enemies.

Care for offspring

Emerging chicks feed on bird's milk. It represents the remains of the curd type, which accumulate in the goiter of the female. Gradually, the chicks are transferred to adult food. When the birds get stronger, parents begin to teach them the nuances of flight. By 1-1.5 months, the offspring are able to leave the nest and start an independent life.

Natural enemies of wood pigeons

Dangerous enemies of pigeons are birds of prey. They attack pigeons, destroy their nests, eat offspring. Falcons, hawks, eagles look out for doves from above, so wood pigeons often hide in leafy trees. Pigeons become prey for jays, crows or magpies. These individuals act by cunning: they find nests, wait, attack only when the pigeon loses its vigilance.

Squirrels are a danger to pigeons. They attack in the trees, often winning the fight.On the ground, if a bird has landed to collect grains or cereals, martens, foxes, badgers attack. Due to their impressive size, pigeons cannot instantly take off from the ground - this is a weakness in the bird's defensive line of behavior. Pigeons settle 2 or more kilometers away from human dwellings, as people are dangerous for this species. Wood pigeons are hunted for wild meat and also for trapping because of the danger to oak trees.

Attention! The natural caution of wood pigeons is of interest to amateur hunters who track and shoot the bird.

Population and species status

Hunting wood pigeons is not prohibited due to the fact that birds are recognized as pests of agricultural land. Bird trapping is considered one of the most exciting types of amateur hunting.Under state protection, there is only one type of dove - this is the Azores pigeon, which lives on the territory of the Azores archipelago. One of the subspecies of the Azores pigeon was completely destroyed.

The population is gradually decreasing, this happens for several reasons:

• catching or shooting by hunters;
• treatment due to the use of pesticides in fields intended for agricultural planting;
• increase in the number of industrial zones using harmful toxic substances released into the air.

Pigeons gradually move from their homes, develop new unexplored territories, where they die due to hunting by predators or die of natural causes.

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