How many and where doves live

On the territory of Our Country, out of 35 species of pigeons, there are four: gray-gray, dove, klintukh and rocky. However, the blue dove is the most common, since it belongs to a synanthropic bird species, in simple words, capable of living and breeding next to a person. How many pigeons live in wild, urban or domestic conditions, as well as what affects their life expectancy, is described in this article.

Where do doves live

Pigeons live in Eurasia, and are also found in Asia, Africa, India and Saudi Arabia. Birds of this genus initially chose the coasts of the seas and rocks, today they are found near human dwellings, as well as in megacities, cities and towns.

This species of birds leads a settled way of life. In nature, they live on rocks – up to 4000 meters above sea level. In winter, they migrate vertically down, fleeing from severe cold and winds.

In cities, these birds build houses in such places:

• roofs of houses;
• spreading trees;
• under the canopies of balconies;
• fire pipes;
• voids under bridge surfaces.

Since wild pigeons avoid contact with any other species of fauna, they also try to avoid such proximity in the city. However, getting used to humans, birds build primitive nests and live near those places where they find food and water, despite forced neighbors. At the same time, only the male should obtain material for building a nest, and the female builds a dwelling.

How long do doves live

Theoretically, according to the conclusions of ornithologists, based on long-term observations, pigeons live in favorable conditions for up to 20-25 years. In fact, only a few representatives live to this age. The life expectancy of birds is directly affected by climatic conditions, habitat. It is known that wild representatives of the genus live much less than urban and, especially, domestic ones, who do not need anything and live in a warm and cozy dovecote.

In nature

Wild pigeons, living at a distance from humans, are found in forests, steppes, on steep banks of rivers and mountain gorges. In the ongoing process of searching for food, birds are exposed to many dangers. Therefore, unlike urban pigeons, sisari, who live in the wild, are extremely shy. It is this quality that is the key to life in such conditions and allows you to grow offspring in an environment that is constantly threatening life.

The following factors influence the life expectancy of wild pigeons:

• predator attack;
• infectious diseases;
• very coldy.

According to ornithologists, in nature, wild pigeons live on average from 3 to 5 years, and the recorded maximum did not exceed 7 years. This is a very short period for a dove, therefore, in nature, it is rather assigned the role of a victim, who is forced to survive every minute of her life in order to leave behind as many offspring as possible.

The life expectancy of wild pigeons is especially strongly influenced by the coincidence of their habitat with many other birds that are carriers of infectious or parasitic diseases, from which the sizars have no immunity. Outbreaks of such diseases significantly reduce the number of birds living in nature.

In the city

Pigeons living in the city, busily pacing through the squares and alleys, are the descendants of wild sizars, who, in an effort to survive, moved from the forests closer to humans. They are born and then live their whole lives in the city without flying anywhere. In settlements there are not so many predators that threaten the lives of birds, and finding food and water is much easier. This has made naturally shy pigeons less vigilant, and they often die at the paws of cats or dogs, as well as under the wheels of cars. In addition, in northern latitudes with harsh climatic conditions, city pigeons, like wild ones, die without surviving a long frosty winter.

But, despite the danger of dying from the paws of a cat or under the wheels of vehicles, city pigeons live almost twice as long as their wild counterparts. In addition, there are no wild birds in the city that carry infections, and therefore city residents get sick much less often.

At home

Domestic pigeons live on average 7-10 years longer than city pigeons. Since breeders are constantly improving existing breeds, working to strengthen their immunity and life expectancy. Today, birds in dovecotes heated in winter can live up to 20-25 years. However, up to this age, pigeons live only when they are born in captivity and have an improved gene pool. City or wild pigeons, even in favorable conditions, are not able to live more than 13-15 years.

However, this is not the limit. According to unofficial data, there is information according to which some representatives of these birds lived to be 35 years old.

What affects the life expectancy of pigeons

The life expectancy of a pigeon directly depends on factors such as:

• climatic conditions;
• diet;
• immunity;
• breed.

The climatic conditions in which birds live, as well as their diet, affect how old the bird will live. In regions with long harsh and snowy winters, pigeons live a few years less than in regions with a milder climate. This is due to the fact that they spend more strength and energy on getting food under a thick layer of snow. In addition, a lot of energy is spent on finding shelter from winds, rainfall and frost. Many individuals die precisely from malnutrition and hypothermia. It has also been observed that even domestic pigeons live somewhat less in northern latitudes than in southern ones.

In addition, the age of the bird is affected by breed and disease resistance. Domestic thoroughbred pigeons, receiving a complete and balanced diet, as well as timely treatment, have acquired innate immunity over several generations, therefore they get sick less often. Wild and city pigeons, eating irregularly and whatever they have to, cannot boast of good health and die in whole flocks from various infections. Also, not receiving the elements necessary for life, the body wears out faster, which affects the life span of birds.

How to understand how old a pigeon is

To fix the age of the bird, pigeon breeders ring their pets. The ring on the paw is, so to speak, the pigeon’s passport, which indicates the date and place of its birth. If there is no ring, age will be recognized by some external characteristics:

• up to 1 month – yellow fluff on the feathers, the base of the nose without plumage, the beak is soft, long and thin;
• at 3-4 months – the beak is hard, wide and short; iris bright orange or yellowish;
• if the individual is not large, cooing quietly and sometimes makes squeaking sounds – about 2,5 months;
• if the bird shows interest in the opposite sex, in the form of courtship – more than 5 months;
• traces of molting are visible, while the formation of a wax is observed, which is still tender – 7 months;
• the cere (nose) and eye rings are already a little rough – about 4 years old;
• pale pigmentation of the legs indicates that the pigeon is over 5 years old.

In addition, the youth of the bird is indicated by the not so bright color of the feathers and without overflows, as in adults, especially in males. It is visually difficult to determine how old a pigeon really is, therefore the resulting figure will be approximate.

Conclusion

The climatic conditions in which pigeons live, as well as the habitat and diet, directly affect life expectancy. In the wild or in the city, none of the representatives of these birds die a natural death. And only domestic pigeons that live in a well-equipped dovecote and lead a carefree way of life are able to reach a ripe old age.