Domestic Pigeon

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment10–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Egg binding

The domestic pigeon is a wildly underrated pet — intelligent, gentle and genuinely affectionate, it recognises faces, bonds for life with a mate and, in homing breeds, can navigate its way back home over great distances. Pigeons are social flock birds that should be kept with at least one companion, in a predator-proof loft or aviary with room to fly, along with perches, nest ledges and daily supervised out-time for the tame ones. Diet is a good pigeon grain mix with grit and a calcium source, and clean, fresh water daily; pigeons drink by sucking, unlike most birds. Health care centres on a handful of common conditions: the protozoal infection canker (trichomoniasis), respiratory diseases and paramyxovirus (which loft and racing birds are usually vaccinated against), plus coccidiosis and worms. Hens can be prone to egg binding, so provide calcium, and keep the loft clean and dry, since dust and droppings can also affect keepers' lungs. Give a pigeon companionship, a clean loft, a good grain diet and routine health care, and you gain a devoted, face-remembering companion for well over a decade.

• How much activity does a Domestic Pigeon need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Domestic Pigeon need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Domestic Pigeon need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Domestic Pigeon a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Domestic Pigeon live?

  10–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Domestic Pigeon?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Egg binding. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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