I guess something went wrong, for I have not posted anything.
Bloody mind, it runs too fast I am unable to follow it properly. Well, time to follow some of its thoughts. Let's have a short talk about pigeons, those cute tender animals most of the people hate (because people are stupid, the most of them) thinking they are stupid bird, vector of diseases and so on. I am in love with pigeons for a series of reasons I won't debate now for now it's time for Pigeonometry!
Part 0: The Pigeon.
And we are done with the basics.
Part 1: The Facts.
Let's know more about pigeons.
Latin name: Columba livia;
Common Names: Dove, pigeon, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock dove, rock pigeon, feral pigeon;
Derivation: The world "pigeon" is derived from the Latin word "pipio", meaning young cheeping bird. The word dove is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as dova or douve;
Bird Order: Columbiformes;
Family: Columbidae (includes 100π + 1 [that is, 315] different species);
Subspecies: Columba livia + {atlantis, canariensis, gymnocyclus, targia, nigricans, dakhlae, schimperi, inetermedia, palaestinae, gaddi, neglecta};
Varieties: 350 recorded varieties;
Most Common: Feral pigeon (10 to 15 millions in Europe);
Origin: Europe, North Africa, Asia:
Habitat: The wild pigeon is found in costal areas and the feral pigeon is found almost exclusively in areas of human habitation;
Distribution: Worldwide, except for Sahara Desert (guess why), Antarctica and high Arctic. European population estimated between 17 and 28 millions (which is cool because 17 is prime and 28 is a perfect number);
Part 2: Description.
Pigeons are on average from 32 to 37 centimetres long (sorry dear American & co. we only use meaningful and smart system of measures that is the METRIC system), with a wingspan of about 64 to 72 cm.
Dark blue-is/grey head, neck and chest with glossy greenish and reddish-purple iridescence around the neck and the wing feathers; orange or red iris with pale inner ring (in the adult pigeon) or brown aut greyish brown (in the juvenile ones).
• Black bill with off-white cere;
• Red feet and legs;
• Distinctive twin black wing bars;
• White lower back feathers.
Part 3: Reproduction.
• Breed all year round with peak breeding periods in spring and summer;
• All columbiformes are monogamous (mate for life);
• Wild bird breed on coastal cliffs, and some inland cliffs;
• Feral birds breed on or in buildings, usually in urban areas;
• Usually 2 (two) white eggs that are incubated by both parents for 17-19 days;
• The squab (chick) has yellow down and a pink bill;
• Squabs are fed on "crop milk" by both parents;
• Fledging period is approximately 30 days, depending upon the time of the year;
• Pigeon can breed at 6 (six) months of age.
Part 4: Diet, half life and predation.
Seeds form the major component of the diet, but it varies greatly according to species. Some ground feeding species (granivorous species) eat fruit and take insects and worms. One species, the Atoll Fruit Dove, has adapted to taking insects and small reptiles.
The Feral pigeon found in urban areas exists exclusively on a diet of seed (normally from human sources) and human refuse, such as fast food waste.
Wood pigeons have a varied diet which includes vegetables and berries.
Life expectancy varies from 3 to 5 years (minimum value) up to 15 years, dependent on many factors including, of course, natural predation and human interference.
Wild pigeon is predated upon, almost exclusively, by the peregrine falcon. The sparrow hawk may also predate on the wild pigeon.
The Feral pigeon has few if any natural predators, with man being the main threat to the bird in areas of human habitation.
Part 5: Interesting Medley.
• Pigeons can fly at altitudes of 1829 meters or more;
• Pigeons can fly at average speeds of up to 124.8 km/h, but have been recorded fly at 148.8 km/h !
• Pigeons can fly between 965.6 km and 1126.5 km in a single day, with the longest recorded flight in 19th century taking 55 days between Africa and England, covering 11265.4 km;
• Pigeons are thought to navigate by sensing the Earth's magnetic field and using the Sun for direction. Other theories include the use of roads and even low frequency seismic waves to find their way home;
• As all the Columbidae family, pigeons too drink water by sucking it and using their beaks like straws. Most birds sip water and then throw their head back to swallow;
• Pigeon can see in colours, but unlike humans they can also see UV (ultraviolet) light (a part of the spectrum that humans cannot see). As a result, pigeon are often used in search and rescue missions at sea because of this unique sense combined with excellent all-round vision;
• Pigeons have been found to pass the mirror test, the ability to recognise its own reflection to a mirror. The pigeon is one of the SIX species (and the ONLY non-mammal), to have this ability;
• Pigeons are highly intelligent and can recognise all 26 (twenty-six) letters of the alphabet as well as being able to conceptualise. Pigeon can differentiate between photographs and even two different human beings in a single photograph.
Did you understand, idiotic humans? Do you still think pigeons are stupid?
There could be REALLY A LOT to discuss about, like pigeons during the wartime, pigeons as messengers, and most of all a list of all the breeds of pigeons by name. I guess I will do this, futurely. Yes that word does not exist, but now it does.
