Pigeons as Pets: The Complete Guide to Domestic Dovekeeping

By Jonathan LeeLast Updated April 18, 2025

Are pigeons good pets? Understand the pros and cons

When most people think of pet birds, parakeets, canaries, or parrots typically come to mind. Pigeons, oftentimes dismiss as common city birds, seldom make the list of consider avian companions. Nevertheless, these intelligent and adaptable birds have a long history of domestication and can make astonishingly affectionate pets for the right owner.

Pigeons (cColumba liviaddomestic))ave been keep by humans for thousands of years, initially for practical purposes like message carrying and food, but progressively as companions. Before decide if a pigeon might be the right pet for you, it’s important to understand their unique characteristics, care requirements, and the commitment involve.

The natural temperament of pigeons

Pigeons possess several traits that make them suitable as household pets:

Intelligence and trainability

Pigeons demonstrate remarkable intelligence. They can recognize human faces, understand patterns, and yet pass the mirror test (recognize themselves in a reflection ) cognitive ability share by simply a few animal species. This intelligence make them responsive to training, with many pigeon owners successfully teach their birds various commands and tricks.

Unlike some bird species that require extensive socialization from a young age, pigeons can adapt to human handling eve when adopt as adults. With patience and consistent interaction, they can become rather tame.

Social nature

Pigeons are course social birds that form strong bonds. In the wild, they mate for life and raise their young unitedly. As pets, they oftentimes transfer this social bonding capacity to their human caregivers, form strong attachments.

Many pigeon owners report that their birds recognize them specifically, respond to their voice, and show excitement when they return habitation. Some pigeons will perch on their owner’s shoulder, hands, or head, will demonstrate comfort and trust.

Gentle disposition

Compare to many parrot species, pigeons are broadly gentle birds. They seldom bite sharply, make them suitable for families with children (under supervision ) Their cooing sounds are soft and pleasant, unlike the potentially loud screeching of some other pet birds.

Housing and care requirements

Understand the practical aspects of pigeon keeping is essential before bring one home:

Housing options

Pigeons need adequate space to move round, stretch their wings, and exercise. The minimum recommend cage size for a pair of pigeons is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet, though larger is forever better. The cage should include perches of vary thickness to promote foot health.

Many pigeon owners opt for a dedicated loft or aviary if space permits. This allows the birds more freedom while keep them protect from predators. Indoor pigeons can too bealloweto superviseise free fly time within a secure room.

Diet and nutrition

A proper pigeon diet consists principally of:

Pigeon specific seed mixes (available at specialty pet stores )
Whole grains like barley, wheat, and corn
Legumes such as peas and lentils
Fresh vegetables in small amounts
Grit (small stones that help with digestion )
Calcium supplements, particularly for breed females

Fresh water must invariably be available for both drink and bathing, as pigeons enjoy regular baths to maintain their feather condition.

Health considerations

Pigeons are broadly hardy birds with fewer health problems than many exotic species. Nonetheless, they can be susceptible to:

Respiratory infections, specially in damp conditions
External parasites like mites and lice
Internal parasites such as worms
Canker (a protozoan infection )
Vitamin deficiencies if improperly feed

Find a veterinarian with avian experience, peculiarly one familiar with pigeons, is important. Regular health checks and preventative care can help your pigeon live a long, healthy life. With proper care, pigeons can live 15 20 years, represent a significant long term commitment.

Special considerations for pigeon owners

Legal restrictions

Before acquire a pigeon, check your local regulations. Some municipalities have restrictions on keep pigeons, specially in urban areas. Homeowners’ associations may besides have rules against keep birds outside. Research any permit requirements in your area.

Indoor vs. Outdoor housing

While traditional pigeon keep involving outdoor lofts, many pet pigeons live indoors. Indoor pigeons become more intimately bond to their human families but require special considerations:

Bird proof your home to prevent accidents
Manage droppings (pigeon pants or diapers are available )
Ensure adequate exercise and enrichment
Protect them from household hazards like ceiling fans, hot surfaces, and toxic plants

Outdoor housing provide more natural conditions but require protection from predators, weather extremes, and potential theft.

Social needs

Pigeons are happiest with companionship. If you can’t spend significant time interact with your pigeon eevery day consider keep a pair. Two pigeons will keep each other company when you’re outside, will engage in natural behaviors like mutual preening.

If keep a single pigeon, be prepared to become its flock. This mean regular interaction, talk to your bird, and provide plenty of attention and enrichment.

Types of pigeons suitable as pets

Not all pigeons make evenly good pets. Several breeds are peculiarly advantageously suit to domestic life:

King pigeons

These large, white pigeons were primitively breed for meat but make excellent pets. Their calm temperament and substantial size make them easy to handle. Kings are less likely to fly out if unexpectedly release, as they’re not strong flyers.

Fantails

Recognizable by their fan shape tail feathers, fantails are ornamental pigeons with distinctive appearance and gentle personalities. They’re less athletic than some breeds, make them suitable for smaller spaces.

Race homer pigeons

While mainly keep for racing, retired racing homers can make affectionate pets. They’re intelligent and adaptable, though they retain strong homing instincts. These birds require secure housing to prevent escape.

Rescue feral pigeons

Many animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers occasionally have feral pigeons that can’t be release. These birds, peculiarly those hand raise from squabs ((aby pigeons ))can become marvelously tame pets while give a home to a bird in need.

The pros of keep pigeons as pets

Low maintenance compare to other birds

Pigeons require less intensive care than many parrot species. They don’t need the complex socialization that hook bill require, are less prone to behavioral problems like feather pluck, and their dietary needs are straightforward.

Quieter than many birds

The gentle cooing of pigeons is much quieter than the squawking of parrots. This makes them suitable for apartment living or homes where noise might be an issue.

Longevity with reasonable commitment

While pigeons live yearn sufficiency (15 20 years )to be a serious commitment, they don’t present the extreme longevity challenge of some parrots, which can live 50 + years and may outlive their owners.

Affordability

The initial cost of acquire pigeons is typically lower than that of exotic birds. Their food and supplies are besides broadly less expensive. Still, veterinary care costs can notwithstanding be significant, peculiarly for specialized avian medicine.

The cons of pigeon ownership

Mess management

Pigeons produce more waste than smaller birds, and control droppings can be challenge. Indoor pigeons may need bird diapers, while outdoor lofts require regular cleaning.

Social stigma

Unluckily, pigeons suffer from image problems, oftentimes consider” fly rats ” y those unfamiliar with their true nature. Pigeon owners may need to educate friends and family about the intelligence and cleanliness of right keep pigeons.

Find veterinary care

Not all exotic vets are experience with pigeons. Find appropriate medical care can be challenge in some areas, require travel to specialize avian veterinarians.

Housing requirements

Proper pigeon housing require space and investment. Outdoor lofts must be predator proof and weather resistant, while indoor housing need to accommodate the birds’ natural behaviors.

Who should consider pigeons as pets?

Pigeons can be excellent pets for:

People with allergies to mammalian pets (birds produce less dander than furry animals )
Those seek an intelligent, interactive bird without the noise and complexity of parrots
Individuals with moderate but not extensive time for pet care
Families with older, supervise children
Those interested in the historical aspects of pigeon keep
People with space for appropriate housing, either indoors or outside

They may not be ideal for:

Those seek an extremely portable pet( pigeons need stable housing)
People live in areas with strict regulations against keep birds
Individuals want a pet that require minimal cleanup
Those unprepared for a multi-year commitment

Getting start with pigeon keep

If you’ve decided a pigeon might be the right pet for you, consider these steps:

Research and preparation

Read books specifically about pigeon care, join online forums for pigeon keepers, and if possible, connect with experienced pigeon owners in your area. Prepare appropriate housing before bring your bird home.

Find your pigeon

Consider adoption firstly. Pigeon rescue organizations, animal shelters, and wildlife rehabilitation centers oftentimes have pigeons need homes. Instead, reputable breeders can provide healthy birds with know backgrounds.

Start with the right number

Begin with a pair of pigeons is oftentimes ideal. They will provide company for each other while you’ll learn about their care. If keep a single bird, be prepared to spend extra time provide social interaction.

Create a relationship

Build trust with your new pigeon take time and patience. Start with quiet sitting near their enclosure, gradually introduce treats from your hand. Most pigeons will finally become comfortable with gentle handling.

Conclusion: are pigeons good pets?

Pigeons can make excellent pets for the right owner. Their intelligence, gentle nature, moderate care requirements, and capacity for affection make them suitable companions for those willing to look beyond their undeserved reputation.

Like any pet, pigeons require commitment, appropriate housing, proper nutrition, and veterinary care. They’re not maintenance free, but their care needs are manageable for well-nigh dedicated pet owners.

Perchance the well-nigh rewarding aspect of keep pigeons is the opportunity to develop a relationship with these historically significant birds. From carry messages in wartime to perform in shows, pigeons have been human companions for thousands of years. As pets, they continue this tradition, offer friendship, entertainment, and a connection to the natural world.

For those willing to give these underappreciated birds a chance, pigeons can prove to be fascinating, affectionate, and rewarding pets that challenge preconceptions and provide years of companionship.