Exploring the Misunderstood World of Pigeons: Do They Really Show Empathy and Understanding

Pigeons often find themselves labeled as pests in urban environments, seen fluttering around city parks or foraging in alleyways, these birds have a reputation that largely ignores their complex behaviour and sentience. If you take a moment to observe pigeons, whether in the wild or in captivity, you will uncover an unexpected depth in their social interactions, emotional responses, and cognitive abilities. This blog post aims to clarify the misconceptions surrounding these intriguing birds and explore evidence of their understanding and empathy and a few of my pigeon family stories!

The Science Behind Pigeon Behaviour

Research reveals that pigeons possess cognitive abilities comparable to some primates, and can differentiate between different human faces (Loidolt et al). But it's not only these cognitive abilities which make them so remarkable but also their complex communication methods. They coo, flap their wings, and perform various movements to express emotions and intentions. In the wild I like to observe my local wood pigeons, I often see one pair nuzzle and preen as part of their bonding ritual, showcasing behaviours that suggest not just instinct but a deeper emotional connection. They also are extremely dedicated to each other, often spending most of the day foraging and flying together.

They know when another bird is in need

Likewise are our wild flock of feral pigeons, they seem to not only engage in playful behaviours but are able to detect when another flock member is in need. One of our wild flock members, Paris was attacked by a bird of prey. We thought she was gone, her mate flying in circles, obviously distressed. But then to our surprise a day later, she was on the roof being cared for not only by her partner but the rest of the flock. It seems that the flock had come together to help Paris from further injury and further to this we've seen Rosie join Paris and his partner more to check on his well-being.

You'll also see a very young Lizzie below, unbelievably her parents kept trying to feed her, even when on a busy bus depot. We had to rescue her in the end as she was at danger and despite her parents defiance, they were unable to care for her when grounded.

Lizzie has grown up to be a resilient bird, looking out for her partner London and even makes a purring noise. A beautiful pigeon, but despite this many like Lizzie still get labelled as pests.

Pigeons in Captivity: Insights into Their Emotional Lives, Meet DAVE!

Here at Russell's Rescue we have a few captive feral pigeons and a wood pigeon called DAVE! All have very individual personalities and a range of behaviours such as excitement, joy, sadness and loneliness. When DAVE! lost his partner Colin he grieved for many weeks, his behaviour changed for a while, so I brought him back inside to give him more attention. He now has his own room and I spend most of my day with him. DAVE! has become my 'therapy bird' he senses when I'm ill and will sit on me for hours, rather than even playing with his toys or eating his seed. He enjoys being stroked, plays games and shows a level of awareness that shows a high level of empathy and understanding. He really is my heart bird.

DAVE! Also loves listening to his Spotify and playing with his toys, he has a preference for toys that are more interactive and a favourite album 'music for birds' he certainly had a smile on his face when Baby Shark came on! He also can get very grumpy if his routine is out of sync, do not disturb him late at night or when he's snuggling up near his pink flamingo toy, otherwise you may get a wing slap. The pigeon equivalent of p*ss off. But all jokes aside DAVE! is fascinating and brings so much joy to my life.

The Public Perception of Pigeons: Changing the Narrative

Despite a growing body of evidence highlighting the emotional depth and intelligence of pigeons, public perception often remains negative. The stereotype of the "dirty city pigeon" or "rats with wings" still lingers, overshadowing the realities of these birds' inner lives. It is a shame that many pass pigeons on the street, giving them little time of the day and often branding them as dirty. Contrary to popular belief, pigeons are extremely clean, then do not like to get dirty. There is also little research to suggest they are significant transmitters of disease to humans (CampusLife, University of London).

Ours regularly preen and bath and especially love the fresh water. They avoid areas of the aviary that became dampened in our recent floods and will regularly seek new bedding materials for their next box.

However, public opinion is slowly changing, as awareness grows, so does appreciation for these birds. Understanding that pigeons experience feelings and emotions similar to humans fosters greater respect for them.

Please don't just pass them by

The next time you see a pigeon in your local park or on a busy street corner, remember to reflect on the complexities that lie beneath the surface of this often-misunderstood bird. Let’s embrace the rich tapestry of life around us, extending our empathy beyond humans to all creatures, including our pigeon neighbours. Often they are cold and hungry and just trying to survive and they deserve to share our space in towns, woodlands and the countryside. Taking just a few moments to observe you'll see a rich array of complex behaviours and multiple personalities! Honestly I know I could watch them all day.

Thanks for reading,

Helen Motteram

References

Pigeons use item-specific and category-level information in the identification and categorization of human faces - Michael Aidolt, Ulrike Aust, Isabel Meran and Ludwig Huber 2023

Pigeons: Unheralded Urban Marvels - Adrian CampusLife, 2024