Have you ever noticed that while pigeons are everywhere, in parks, on rooftops, and around city squares, you rarely see a baby pigeon? This mystery has puzzled people for decades. The truth is, young pigeons are all around us; we just rarely catch them before they grow up.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything about young pigeons, from their hidden nesting habits to their growth, feeding, flight training, and care. Whether you’re a breeder, bird enthusiast, or simply curious, this article will help you understand these fascinating creatures in a simple, human, and engaging way.
- Why Don’t We See Baby Pigeons?
- A Baby Pigeon Is Called a Squab
- When Do Baby Pigeons Start to Fly?
- How to Recognize Young Pigeons Among Adults
- Building the Perfect Loft for Young Pigeons
- Feeding and Nutrition for Young Pigeons
- Training and Socializing Young Pigeons
- Health and Hygiene for Young Pigeons
- Caring for an Orphaned Baby Pigeon
- FAQ: Young Pigeons
- The Joy of Raising Young Pigeons
Why Don’t We See Baby Pigeons?
You might wonder: why don’t we see baby pigeons if there are so many adults everywhere?
The answer lies in their secretive nesting behavior. Pigeons choose well-hidden nesting spots, ledges, building corners, bridges, or under rooftops, just like their wild ancestors, the rock doves that nested on cliffs.
Here’s the secret:
- Baby pigeons stay in their nest for about 4–6 weeks.
- By the time they leave, they’re fully feathered and nearly adult-sized.
- Their first public appearance is often as a juvenile blending in with adults.
That’s why you never see the fluffy, pink chicks wandering around cities. They grow up before stepping out.
🕊️ Anecdote: A bird enthusiast in Worcester, Massachusetts, once spent years watching pigeons and realized he had never seen a chick. When he asked others, everyone gave the same answer, “No, come to think of it, I haven’t either.” Turns out, they were just hidden in plain sight!
A Baby Pigeon Is Called a Squab
When we talk about young pigeons, the correct name for a baby pigeon is a squab.
Squabs are born blind, featherless, and completely dependent on their parents. They start their lives in dark, warm nests where both parents care for them equally, a rare example of teamwork in the bird world.
🐣 Growth Stages of a Young Pigeon
| Stage | Age | Description |
| Egg | 0–18 days | Both parents take turns incubating. |
| Hatchling (Squab) | 0–7 days | Pink, blind, and fed on crop milk. |
| Nestling | 7–28 days | Feathers begin growing; it starts pecking at food. |
| Fledgling | 4–6 weeks | Fully feathered and ready to fly. |
What Is Crop Milk?
Crop milk is a high-protein, fat-rich secretion produced in the crops of both parent pigeons. It’s not dairy milk but rather a unique, nutrient-packed fluid that helps squabs grow rapidly. Learn more about it from Audubon’s pigeon milk study.
When Do Baby Pigeons Start to Fly?
One of the most exciting parts of raising young pigeons is watching them take their first flight.
Usually, baby pigeons start to fly around 5 to 6 weeks old. By this stage, they’ve grown full feathers, gained muscle strength, and developed confidence.
Step-by-Step: Helping Young Pigeons Learn to Fly
- Create a safe space: Start in the loft so they can stretch their wings.
- Encourage hopping: Let them flap and hop between perches.
- Open the loft door: Allow short, supervised flights outside.
- Use recall calls: Gently whistle or call when offering food.
- Extend sessions gradually: A few minutes on day one, longer each time.
- Reward them: Food and calm handling reinforce good behavior.
🪶 Tip: Avoid releasing young pigeons in windy or rainy weather; early flight trauma can make them fearful or disoriented later.
How to Recognize Young Pigeons Among Adults
You’ve probably walked past young pigeons without realizing it. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- Eye color: Adults have orange or red eyes, while juveniles have brown eyes.
- Neck feathers: Adults show iridescent green and purple, but young ones look duller.
- Beak cere: The soft bump above the beak is smaller and pinkish in squabs.
- Behavior: Young birds appear cautious and often stay near their nesting area.
For visual examples, explore this guide on pigeon identification.
Building the Perfect Loft for Young Pigeons
A comfortable and safe pigeon loft is crucial for raising healthy birds.
Loft Essentials:
- Clean and dry environment: Prevents disease.
- Ventilation: Fresh air keeps droppings from causing respiratory problems.
- Nest boxes: One box per pair for breeding comfort.
- Lighting: Morning sunlight encourages healthy growth.
- Protection: Cover windows with wire mesh to keep predators away.
Want design ideas? Check out these pigeon loft blueprints for layout inspiration.
Feeding and Nutrition for Young Pigeons
The health of young pigeons depends entirely on proper nutrition.
1. The Milk Phase (0–7 Days)
Fed entirely on crop milk, rich in fat and protein. Parents take turns feeding every few hours.
2. Soft Food Stage (7–21 Days)
Parents mix softened grains with crop milk. Squabs start pecking at small seeds.
3. Weaning (21–30 Days)
By 3–4 weeks, squabs eat independently. Feed them:
- A quality pigeon seed mix
- Grit and minerals for digestion
- Vitamin supplements for immunity (source)
- Clean water, changed daily
💡 Anecdote: Many breeders say they can tell a pigeon’s health by its feathers. Shiny plumage and bright eyes are signs of good nutrition and hydration.
Training and Socializing Young Pigeons
Training helps young pigeons trust you and learn essential homing behavior.
Training Steps:
- Handle daily: Gentle contact builds comfort.
- Use consistent feeding times: Pigeons learn your routine.
- Teach recall: Use a whistle or call before feeding.
- Short flights: Start close to the loft.
- Gradual distance: Increase flying range slowly.
Once trained, pigeons always return to their home loft, a remarkable natural GPS guided by the Earth’s magnetic field.
Health and Hygiene for Young Pigeons
To keep your pigeons healthy:
- Clean lofts weekly with avian-safe disinfectant.
- Watch for watery droppings, lethargy, or ruffled feathers, early illness signs.
- Provide dust baths with sand or grit to control mites naturally.
- Keep new birds quarantined for at least 2 weeks before introducing them to the flock.
Healthy birds are more active, have smoother feathers, and train better.
Caring for an Orphaned Baby Pigeon
Finding a baby pigeon can be emotional; they’re fragile and dependent.
What To Do:
- Check for injuries. If hurt, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
- Keep warm: Place in a soft towel-lined box under a gentle heat source.
- Feed carefully: Use a pigeon hand-feeding formula, never cow’s milk or bread.
- Encourage independence: Once feathered, introduce small seeds and soft grains.
Patience and warmth go a long way in helping an orphan thrive.
FAQ: Young Pigeons
What does a juvenile pigeon look like?
A juvenile pigeon looks like a smaller, duller adult with brownish eyes, less iridescent neck feathers, and a softer pink beak cere.
What is the correct name for a baby pigeon?
The correct name for a baby pigeon is a squab, referring to a young bird still dependent on its parents.
What is a synonym for young pigeon?
A common synonym for a young pigeon is fledgling or nestling, depending on its stage of growth.
Where are baby pigeons?
Baby pigeons stay hidden in well-protected nests in buildings, bridges, or ledges until they are fully feathered and ready to fly.
Do pigeons carry diseases to humans?
Yes, pigeons can carry diseases like histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis, but transmission to humans is rare with proper hygiene and loft cleanliness.
The Joy of Raising Young Pigeons
Raising young pigeons is more than a hobby; it’s a partnership built on care, trust, and consistency. Watching a squab open its eyes, grow feathers, and take its first flight is deeply rewarding.
With the right feed, vitamins, training, and clean environment, your young birds will grow into strong, loyal adults. They’ll return home after every flight, a small miracle of nature that never gets old.