Dove

Piazza San Marco in Venice is far from the only place on the planet where you can see huge flocks of pigeons. They seem to live everywhere. City pigeons are descendants of birds that inhabited the rocky cliffs many centuries ago. Hence the unthinkable love of these urban birds for skyscrapers and cornices that resemble rocks. But the role of pigeons in our lives is far from a useless neighborhood, otherwise a person would not have tried to keep these birds near him for more than 5000 years.

General characteristics

Domestication of pigeons began many hundreds of years ago. Today there are many types of “domesticated” pigeons. But their “call of the ancestors” is so strong that the birds that escaped from breeders easily join flocks of wild relatives and get along well in a new family. However, the regular crossing of escaped domesticated birds and wild pigeons has led to the fact that there are almost no “pure” Columba Livia (grey pigeons) left in Europe. Representatives of this species are preserved in large numbers only in North and South America. But in the US, pigeons are considered the number one problem. According to rough estimates, more than 1 million of these birds live in New York alone, and worldwide this figure is about 400 million individuals. Among them, 800 breeds are domestic pigeons.

Dove (Latin name Columba) is a small bird: its weight rarely exceeds 400 g, and its size is 40 cm, although there are species that can gain up to 3 kg of weight. But the wingspan of these small birds is more than half a meter. The plumage color of different species can vary significantly, but most of all on the planet are gray birds with a dark tail and pale gray wings with black stripes. In appearance, males and females practically do not differ from each other; young birds are easily recognizable by a smaller number of overflows on the plumage.

Rock pigeon nests tend to be fragile and short-lived. Meanwhile, birds can re-build their “homes” in the same place – on the remains of the previous one. And because they don’t bother to clean the nests from the feces of the chicks, over time the “house” becomes stronger, larger and dirtier.

These birds have incredible navigational abilities. They can easily find their way home from any distance and while flying at high speed. But, despite this, pigeons are prone to a settled life and rarely leave their native places. If they unwittingly have to “move” (for example, poultry along with the owner), they will quickly find their way back home. In some cases, it takes them only a few hours to determine their new location and plot a route.

Biological features

The life of these birds largely depends on people who provide food for pigeons. Therefore, most often these birds can be seen in parks, near houses, farms, feed mills, where they always get enough food and water. In addition to human food, the diet of pigeons includes seeds, fruits, and sometimes invertebrates. Biologists believe that a pigeon needs about 30 ml of water and 30 g of dry food per day (which is about 10% of their body weight).

These birds are monogamous. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 7 months. On the 7-12th day after mating, the females lay 1-3 white eggs, from which chicks appear after 18 days. The first food of the young is bird’s milk, which is a secret secreted in the beaks of adult birds of both sexes. It will take about 30 days for the babies to fledge, get stronger and leave the nest. Pigeons can breed at different times of the year, but still the peak is celebrated in spring and autumn. A pigeon flock population usually consists of an equal number of females and males. When the number of birds decreases sharply, pigeons actively restore their population. In captivity (domesticated) birds can live for 15 years or longer, urban – no longer than 48 months.

Голуби в мировой культуре

It is believed that even the Sumerians and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia knew pigeons and ate them. Shortly after domestication, birds became much more than just a source of food for humans. People watched them and realized that they could get other benefits from birds. So even in ancient Phoenicia, the services of the Sisar were used to transmit information. This ability of birds is still used today. It is known that during the Second World War, pigeons “worked part-time” as scouts.

In ancient times, people deified these birds. The biblical Noah released a dove from the ark. The Holy Spirit in the Christian tradition is represented by this bird, as well as the goddesses Ishtar, Venus, Aphrodite. And among the Chinese, the dove embodies fidelity and longevity.

In addition, since the late Middle Ages, pigeons have been bred in Europe for aesthetic purposes. And by the early 1900s, they had become popular “pets” not only among the nobility, but also among the working class. And now breeders annually hold exhibitions of pigeons, at which several tens of thousands of birds of different breeds can be presented.

In addition to everything, a unique competition is popular among Europeans and Americans – pigeon racing. By the way, a collection of the best “racers” can cost more than 100 million dollars, and the winning bird – more than 300 thousand dollars.

But even on this, the benefits of pigeons for humans do not end there. In addition to many other advantages, they serve as nutritious food, which in different centuries saved a person from starvation, and now the meat of these birds is included in the menu of many restaurants.

Pigeon meat: health benefits and harms

Pigeon in terms of the content of nutrients can compete with any other type of meat. In the fillets of these birds were found:

• vitamin A – 722 ME;
• витамин В1 (тиамин) – 0,6 мг;
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0,7 mg;
• vitamin B3 (niacin) – 18 mg;
• vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – 0,7 mg;
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) – 0,6 mg;
• vitamin B9 (folic acid) – 6,1 mcg;
• витамин В12 (кобаламин) – 0,5 мкг;
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 5,4 mg;
• calcium – 15,6 mg;
• iron – 3,5 mg;
• phosphorus – 237 mg;
• селен – 13,2 мкг;
• zinc – 2,5 mg;
• copper – 437 mcg;
• magnesium – 25,3 mg;
• manganese – 0,01 mg;
• potassium – 201 mg;
• sodium – 55 mg;
• fatty acids – 8,5 mg;
• cholesterol – 95 mg;
• ash – 1,5 g;
• fats – 13 g;
• белки – 24 г;
• carbohydrates – 0 g.

Calorie content per 100 g of meat is approximately 213 kcal. Pigeon belongs to easily digestible products that do not cause obesity.

Useful properties of pigeon meat

The function of this delicacy for human health is determined by its chemical composition. Each component contained in the product plays a role in maintaining the proper functioning of the human body. Here are just a few of the benefits.

Pigeon protein:

• improves the function of the immune system;
• поддерживает здоровье кожи, ногтей и волос;
• promotes the production of enzymes;
• helps to lose excess weight faster;
• relieves fatigue and weakness;
• improves overall health;
• important for proper blood clotting;
• essential for proper growth and development of the body.

If you know that this delicacy contains impressive portions of vitamin B1, it becomes clear why this meat is important for the nervous system, muscles, including the heart, and blood vessels. Also, regular consumption of this product will help prevent numbness in the legs and increase appetite.

Thanks to vitamin B3, pigeon meat:

• creates the right balance of “bad” and “good” cholesterol;
• normalizes the level of sugar in the bloodstream;
• contributes to the proper metabolism of fats;
• relieves weakness;
• normalizes appetite;
• prevents infectious skin diseases;
• protects against indigestion;
• restores healthy looking skin.

Vitamin B6 in pigeon meat is also present in large quantities. Thanks to this, poultry meat:

• useful for the proper functioning of the brain;
• provides the body with energy;
• prevents the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
• beneficial effect on nerve cells;
• prevents the accumulation of excess homocysteine;
• reduces fatigue;
• serves as an anemia prevention;
• reduces the risk of dermatitis, eczema and other skin diseases;
• reduces seizures.

Pigeon meat is a good source of copper, which is known to:

• strengthens various tissues of the body;
• supports bone health;
• improves the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• благотворно влияет на состояние нервной системы;
• повышает уровень «полезного» холестерина;
• relieves chronic fatigue and weakness.

Any meat is an important source of iron. Cesar fillets are no exception. Because of this, it:

• improves the distribution of oxygen throughout the body;
• strengthens the immune system;
• supplies the body with energy;
• cures weakness;
• increases the level of concentration;
• reduces the likelihood of infectious diseases;
• strengthens nails and hair;
• relieves dizziness;
• prevents migraines;
• защищает от рисков развития депрессии и апатии.

Zinc in the meat of domestic or wild pigeons gives it many useful qualities. In particular, the systematic consumption of these birds as food:

• strengthens the immune system;
• contributes to the proper growth of bone cells;
• prevents the occurrence of warts;
• accelerates wound healing;
• sharpens the sense of smell and the work of taste buds;
• normalizes blood sugar levels;
• regulates metabolism;
• normalizes appetite;
• prevents depression;
• protects against frequent colds and infections;
• promotes healthy growth and development of children.

Well, perhaps the most important abilities of the pigeon are given by selenium. Thanks to this component, the meat:

• protects against free radicals;
• activates the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• снижает риск возникновения воспалений в суставах;
• предотвращает боль в мышцах;
• reduces fatigue;
• prevents hair depigmentation;
• prevents the appearance of age spots on the skin;
• protects against certain types of cancer;
• reduces the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases.

Кому необходима голубятина

The fact that cesar meat is not only nutritious, but also has many health benefits, is already clear. But in addition to the general strengthening function, pigeon meat is able to effectively prevent many diseases. Modern medicine, for example, recommends this product to people with kidney disease and high blood pressure to improve memory and regulate blood glucose. The benefits of pigeon meat are also noted by cosmetologists. They claim that this product is able to effectively affect the skin: make it soft, get rid of wrinkles and age spots.

This dietary product is useful for pregnant women, aged people, as well as people recovering from serious illnesses or surgical operations. Pigeon meat is useful for the treatment and prevention of anemia, various diseases of the blood, lungs and general debility.

This product is also useful in the diet of obese people. As a low-fat food with almost a quarter of protein, it promotes healthy weight loss and amino acid balance.

Pigeons in cooking

Pigeon as food was used by representatives of ancient civilizations. The meat of these birds resembles red chicken fillet or duck (although not as fatty), but with its beneficial properties it surpasses many types of poultry, as well as pork.

Голубятина полна белков, минералов и легко усваивается организмом. Гурманы любят мясо этих птиц за его мягкость и нежность текстуры. И в отличие от другой пернатой дичи, голубятине не характерен специфический запах. Это мясо одинаково вкусно в жаренном, тушенном, запеченном виде или приготовленным на гриле. Это немного сладковатое филе шеф-повары многих ресторанов советуют сочетать с ягодными и фруктовыми соусами, красными вином, грибами и овощными гарнирами. В разных странах существует своя традиция приготовления этой птицы. Французы, например, приходят в восторг от голубятины в маринаде, китайцы подают ее с зеленым горошком, в Молдавии принято фаршировать тушки птиц бараниной, а в Египте – пшеном.

Pigeon is classified as a delicacy product. In the Middle Ages, in the Middle East and Europe, the meat of wild pigeons was consumed, but today the raw material for almost all dishes is the fillet of domesticated birds.

How to choose, store and butcher pigeons

Already cut frozen carcasses are usually put up for sale. When buying a bird in the market, it is first of all important to pay attention to the smell – it must be fresh. The color of real pigeon meat is red, and the skin of these birds is dark, in some species brown-purple. By this feature, it is easy to determine that the carcass belongs to the pigeon.

If you got a pigeon as a hunting trophy or you decide to cook poultry, then it is important to know some of the features of butchering the carcass. To begin with, even before plucking, you need to cut off the head, wings and legs. Starting just below the chest, cut into the cleaned carcass. First of all, the “goiter” (where food is preliminarily collected) and the intestines are taken out of it, then they are cleaned of other offal. Rinse the finished carcass thoroughly and you can start cooking any dish. As a rule, the average pigeon is a portion for one person.

Important note: the meat must be well cooked or baked, as the bird can serve as a carrier of dangerous parasites.

pigeon danger

Sometimes pigeons cease to be peaceful neighbors with nutritious meat for people. The first and most obvious nuisance of such a neighborhood is litter. In a year, one pigeon can produce about 3 kg of guano. And this is not only an unpleasant smell, dirty benches, cars. Pigeon droppings can be a source of diseases that are dangerous to humans and livestock, and its fumes can cause fungal diseases.

Dangerous for humans is undercooked meat of sizars, in which various parasites can accumulate. Another reason to refuse a dish from this bird is an allergy to proteins. This disease is very rare, but still.

These birds are known all over the world. They live side by side with man for many centuries. Even at the dawn of civilization, people understood: this bird is not only beautiful, smart, but also tasty and healthy. To this day, sizari fillets can compete in nutritional value with many other types of meat.