The pigeon is perhaps the most common bird that lives both in the wild and in urban settings. In our article we will talk about what affects the life expectancy of this bird, and how you can determine its age.
Where doves live
Depending on the range, birds choose different ways of living. For example, living in the wild, they should choose such a house so that they would not be overtaken by predators, while urban dwellers do not need to worry about it.
Check out the popular species and breeds of pigeons, as well as learn more about the peculiarities of breeding peacock and Uzbek pigeons.
In wild nature
In nature, they are found almost all over Eurasia. Also they are in Altai, in Africa, India and Saudi Arabia. The most popular species is the gray dove, most often it settles near the person.
For life, these birds choose mountainous areas, coastal cliffs, gorges. They are also not against open steppe areas.
In the town
City pigeons more often reside, having gathered in separate groups, whose number of members reaches several hundred. For the settlement they choose abandoned buildings or pigeon houses specially built for them. Sometimes as a place of residence serve roofs of skyscrapers, city parks. Many species get along well with people, since it is much easier for them to find food near the settlements.
Important! Pigeons are capable of carrying various infectious diseases that can be dangerous to humans. Therefore, it is not necessary to contact with urban or wild birds.
What affects the lifespan
The maximum age of the winged differs significantly, depending on their habitat. We offer to get acquainted with some factors that directly affect the life expectancy of pigeons.
Pigeons are used not only for decorative purposes, but also bred for meat. Familiarize yourself with the most popular species of pigeons and breeding tips.
Climatic conditions
What climate live birds, directly affects their lifespan. For example, birds living in the northern regions need to spend a lot of strength and energy in order to find their food under the snow. Often they are dying from hunger. Even individuals that were tamed by humans live much less than their counterparts from the southern regions. Thus, it becomes clear that without a good shelter and affordable food, the birds will not be able to live for long.
Places of residence
Despite the fact that individuals living in urban environments are more careless than their wild counterparts, the life span of these birds is somewhat higher. Near a person it is easier to get food, in cities and villages there is much less chance of predator attacks.
In order for breeding pigeons to become a profitable occupation for you, you need to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of their breeding, learn how to feed the birds and how to equip their home - a dovecote.
Wild pigeons But wild pigeons must always be attentive, because danger lurks them at every corner. Many animals will be happy with this delicacy - it significantly affects the life expectancy of wild birds.
Diet
Wild birds can count only on those useful elements and minerals that they can find on their own in nature. Most of the substances needed by the birds are contained in nuts, kernels and berries. However, with the onset of cold weather, to find them is quite difficult, which leads to death as a result of hunger and lack of nutrients. With this type of food, vitamins do not enter the body, it quickly ages, and the bird dies.
Did you know? Postal Dove No. 888 was awarded the rank of colonel of the British Empire as a reward for service during the First World War.Representatives of birds, who settled in the conditions of the city, survive a little easier. As a rule, many people feed them with bread or seeds. With these products, much more nutrients enter the body.
But domestic birds can boast of a special diet. The menu for such birds is selected based on their age, taking into account their need for certain vitamins and minerals. Thanks to this special diet, life expectancy of domestic animals far exceeds wild or urban birds.Diseases
Living in the wild, it is difficult for feathered birds to avoid contact with migratory birds, which often act as carriers of various infectious diseases. Since pigeons do not have immunity for such illnesses, they are often exposed to infection and die, often without even reaching the "equator" of their lives.
We advise you to find out what diseases pigeons can be dangerous to humans.
Domestic winged birds do not have contact with migratory birds, so the risk of catching infectious waterlogging is much less. Since such birds receive a greater amount of nutrients with food, they have a more developed immune system, which makes it possible to fight an illness during infection. And if the household becomes ill, the owner will immediately attract doctors who will help the bird to survive.
How many years do pigeons live?
Consider the longevity of birds from different groups.
Wild
In the wild, many members of the winged live from 3 to 7 years. This is due to the various dangers that await birds with poor nutrition. Due to the fact that wild pigeons are forced to find their own food, water and shelter, to defend themselves against the attacks of predators, their life expectancy is on average 5 years. 
Pigeon droppings are used to fertilize garden crops: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes.
Urban
The number of urban populations is rapidly increasing with each city. This is due to the fact that in cities and villages, the winged ones have the opportunity to eat better, and more useful substances enter their bodies. In addition, they have no special need to defend themselves against predators. Previously, urban birds could live about 10 years, and today their lifespan has increased significantly, and is 13-14 years.
Homemade
Due to the presence of a balanced feed, suitable climatic conditions, as well as the constant supervision and care of people, domestic birds are the champions among the three groups in life expectancy.
Important! The pigeon's litter contains substances harmful to humans, therefore, removing the traces of the “bird of the world”, be sure to take protective measures.The owners take care of them, fully feed their pets, carry out prevention of various diseases, which allows domestic pigeons to live for 15-20 years.
Longevity records
The long-lived dove lived in the UK; in 2013, the feathered bird celebrated its 25th anniversary. A five-year-old bird was picked up by a woman named Valerie Wittingham, who had previously kept pigeons in a rather representative age: she had previously died of two birds, one of which was 22 years old, and the other 23.
How to determine the age of the pigeon
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to establish the exact age of the pigeon. But ornithologists use two methods for this: if you find the time of birth of the chick, a small ring should be put on its foot, in which the place and date of birth will be recorded; if you are faced with an adult, you can determine its age approximately using the following characteristics:
- occasionally there is a squeak or cooing of a bird - it is about 2.5 months old;
- a manifestation of sexual instincts is noted - a pigeon for about 5 months;
- the first molt was transferred by the bird and a wax fly began to form (its color and shape change) - to a bird for 6-7 months;
- cemetery and near-eye rings become coarse - pigeon 4 years;
- there is a weakening of the pigment on the legs, the color has changed - a bird 5 years or more.
Did you know? Back in time, pigeons were used by man as mail couriers. Important messages over long distances were transmitted by Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan with the help of these birds.Today you can find a huge number of pigeons of different species and colors. They decorate our cities, are present in the wild. In order to prolong the life of these lovely creatures, each of us can make a contribution - to feed the birds or make shelter for them.
