Wild pigeon: the name of species and breeds, their descriptions and characteristics

Man has long domesticated pigeons. There are many breeds of birds bred or improved by humans. However, in nature there are still several varieties of wild pigeons, each of which has its own name. To get such a bird in your own dovecote is a great success, and in order for the birds to take root and begin to breed, patience, knowledge, experience and considerable financial investments are needed.

Features of forest and wild pigeons

For many nations, doves are sacred birds. They are revered by Christians and Muslims, since it was the dove that became the herald of the end of a difficult journey for Noah during the Flood, he also carried water in his beak to drink the prophet Muhammad.The dove remains a symbol of peace and happiness, which is why it is customary to release them at weddings, private and public celebrations.

The order Pigeons, which includes birds, has about 280-290 species. There are domestic and wild pigeons that are used to being close to humans, and varieties that prefer to exist apart. These include most wild pigeons and forest species. They have their own names and are a welcome acquisition for pigeon lovers.

Varieties of forest birds

Doves living in the forest are usually smaller than their urban and domestic counterparts, weight, depending on the species, is 200-700 grams, but some species are large. Gray and brownish shades of plumage allow you to remain invisible, distinguish a huge number of varieties, but 2 species are typical for Russia.

Vyakhir

Large forest bird weighing 700-950 grams, 40-45 centimeters long.The plumage is bluish with a brownish tint. On the neck, from the sides there are characteristic white spots, the head is small with a sharp orange beak. The plumage is dark on the chest, brightens towards the paws. The male cannot be distinguished from the female by external signs. The wings are large and strong, the span is 60-70 centimeters, the bird is able to fly long distances. The wood pigeon has a second name - vitiuten.

Birds nest in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests. They are shy and prefer not to settle next to a person or in places that are often visited by tourists, mushroom pickers. They can hang upside down. For flights they form small flocks, with a sedentary lifestyle they live in pairs, jointly care for chicks.

Klintukh

The bird looks like an urban rock dove. It is slightly smaller in size, weight is about 300 grams, body length - up to 35 centimeters. It differs from the Sisars in a larger head, a short tail, and a light gray uniform shade of plumage.Feathers on the neck with a characteristic greenish tint. Paws and beak at the base are red, the tip of the beak is yellowish. The bird is careful, settles in deciduous forests, groves.

Types of wild pigeons

There are many varieties of wild pigeons in nature, some of them have a nondescript color and unremarkable appearance, others are brightly colored and exotic.

Glue

The blue dove has long been side by side with a man. It can be found on rural streets and city squares. Wild sizari fly better, but outwardly they are absolutely identical to their urban relatives. The bird has a small head with a dark beak and white cere. The wings are wide at the base, sharp at the ends, dark stripes are visible on them. Neck with iridescent plumage, it contains green, lilac and reddish hues. The chest is light gray, the wings and tail are darker shades, the tail has a dark border.

Important: city pigeons can be brown, white, red or gray-blue, among wild individuals this color is not found.

Sizari can develop high speeds in flight, up to 160 kilometers, this is beyond the power of their urban relatives.

Grey

Sometimes the wood pigeon is called so - a bird lost in the branches of trees, indeed, seems to be gray. Although her coloration is gray with a brownish tint.

Rocky

Outwardly, the rock pigeon is very similar to the city sizar, the difference is that wild rock pigeons are more dexterous, they fly better and faster. They prefer to settle in caves, on rocks, in gorges, away from human habitation.

White-breasted

This variety also prefers to settle on rocks. The white-breasted is similar in size to a sizar, it can be distinguished by its dark gray or black head, the neck and chest are light, almost white, for which the birds got their name. The wings and tail are darker, with a white border on the tail. The beak is dark, paws are red.

Turtledove

A small graceful bird, weighing from 120 to 300 grams. Plumage, depending on the species, brown, coffee or bluish-ash color, characteristic white and black stripes on the neck, black beak. The bird has long been considered a symbol of fidelity and love. It is found in forests, but often settles in urban areas, closer to humans. Some breeds of doves (for example, diamond) are kept only at home. Such a bird is small, no more than 20 centimeters, with a weight of 50 grams.

Exotic wild pigeons

Doves are distributed all over the world. Sometimes they have a completely unusual look and color for us. Such birds are an ornament and a source of special pride for pigeons, if they manage to get them into their own collection.

Spinifex

Australia is the habitat of this wild pigeon. A small bird of mottled red color with a long crest on its head settles exclusively on the ground. Chooses dry rocky areas for life. The length of the bird is 20-23 centimeters, the weight does not exceed 100 grams. The beak and paws of the bird are black, with a red border around the golden eyes.

Treron vernans

Very beautiful bird of exotic coloration. Length - 25-30 centimeters, weight - 100-160 grams. The pigeon has a bluish head, upper back and breast. The neck in front and the lower part of the breast are pink in color, the lower part of the body is greenish or yellow.The wings are green with a dark brown border, the same dark border on the tail. The homeland of these pigeons is Southeast Asia, they are common in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Settle in forests and mangroves.

Maned

A large bird, the last of its kind. The iridescent necklace of long feathers around the neck distinguishes this variety of pigeons. The head is an ash-blue hue, the breast and lower part of the body are the same color. The bird is 40-45 centimeters long and weighs up to 600 grams, so the pigeon flies little and spends most of its time on the ground.

Fan-bearing Crowned

Another heavy member of the pigeon family. The weight of a bird can reach 2.5 kilograms, length - up to 75 centimeters. This is an endangered species, the birds were often exterminated for the sake of tasty meat, their natural habitat was destroyed.Crowned pigeons live in New Guinea, later they were brought to Australia and New Zealand.

The head of the birds is crowned with a fan-shaped crown of feathers. The color of birds can be blue, light gray or chestnut, depending on the type of bird. Wings with a wide white stripe. Pigeons nest in trees, spend most of their lives on the ground in search of food.

Two-color fruity

These birds are found in South Asia, Africa, Indonesia. The length of the birds is 30-45 centimeters. Depending on the species, they are black and white, gray-pink with green wings, gray-black. They live in the tops of trees. They feed on berries and fruit pulp.

All types of pigeons are unpretentious in maintenance, exotic varieties in our conditions need additional heating.

They eat almost the same, the diet includes:

• grains;
• plant seeds;
• fresh grass.

The exceptions are the two-tone fruit and Treron vernans, these birds prefer the pulp of fresh fruits (peaches, apricots, grapes).

Breeding and keeping pigeons is an interesting activity that is regaining its former popularity. The variety of species, the beauty of flight, the exotic plumage - each pigeon finds its charms in pichuga, for most it is a hobby for life.

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