Pigeons are as much a part of NYC’s identity as bagels, pizza, and the subway. Despite how common they are, these birds are often overlooked and underappreciated. Read on to learn more about the “coo”-est New Yorkers around!
APPEARANCE
Pigeons, sometimes known as rock doves, are largely harmless and gentle birds. These plump birds have a skin saddle (cere) between their small bills and yellow/orange eyes. Along their necks, you can often observe a blue and purple “oil slick” pattern followed by dark and light gray plumage dotted with black patterns around their wings. Some pigeons have white spots or are all white - and even more exciting are the variety that replaces gray tones for brown and khaki coloring!
When compared to their wild counterparts, city dwelling pigeons tend to be darker in color. Some researchers speculate that this change is an adaptation that makes these specific birds better suited to blending into the architectural features of cities like concrete, pavement, and various dark metal structures like bridges and overpasses.
These social birds are often seen hanging out in groups called flocks or kits. Because pigeons are monogamous and mate for life, they tend to stick to familiar friendship groups for safety. When it comes to choosing a home, they rely on building niches, bridges, and outcroppings that mimic their natural habitats of rocky shore cliffs and ledges.
Though their long wings and strong muscles make them quick fliers, they tend to stick to the ground for easier access to food like grains, seeds, fruits, and the occasional insect, snail, or worm. If they steer clear of dangerous predators and accidents, their lifespan in the wild averages anywhere from 2-5 years - but these hardy birds have been known to live up to 30 years in captivity!
Laying eggs is a year-round business for pigeons and they often lay eggs in pairs of two. During the day, the male and female will take turns incubating while the other goes searching for food. But the food they forage isn’t the only nutrition baby pigeons get.
Did you know pigeons produce milk? “Crop milk” is a nutrient-rich liquid that comes from specialized cells in a pigeon's throat. Both the male and female pigeon parents will begin to produce this milk a couple of days before their eggs hatch. After their babies are old enough to eat regular food (about 10 days after hatching), the specialized milk-producing cells return to normal.
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
Thanks again for the most beautiful Pure Paul Sions pigeons ever!! The loft is full of happy sounds from the birds strutting around in their new home. Y’all were so easy to work thru my problems of birds I chose.
Thanks a million times over Pam and Donnie. Your friend Jimi
Good evening
What a surprised New Year’s gift from you guys
I received the very nice young pure white hansennes hen this pm.
I was not aware that you sent her already/
Thanks for sending 12046
I really like her.
Please keep me posted when you have bastins availabe
Wishing you a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Thanks so much
I received the birds this morning.
As I expected, they are all very pretty and healthy.
I need a nice sion cock to pair up with my almost white hen.
I believed, I inquired a white splash white sion cock,
Not sure if he is still available, trying to breed out pure white sions
From your loft.
The Hansenne cock, very handsome, pls keep me posted for a solid
White hen. The hen very beautiful, can’t
Wait what they will yield.
Thanks so much
I’m super stoked for new birds!. Second new loft in Austin Texas. I’m really looking for 4 to 5 pair.
