That's what some people say about pigeons. In fact, that's what a lot of people say about these birds.

 

But did you ever notice that pigeons come in so many colors and feather patterns? Did you ever notice their shiny, rainbow-like neck feathers or their red feet? Did you ever notice the interesting way that pigeons coo and strut?

The fact is, pigeons are special. They are special because there is such variety in the way they look. Blue Jays all look very much alike, and so do robins and cardinals. But find a flock of pigeons and you will see white ones and gray ones. You will see pigeons with blue-gray feathers and pigeons with red feathers. You will see solid-colored pigeons and speckled pigeons. Look long enough and you will be able to tell them apart, give them names, and get to know their habits.

 

Pigeons are special because they can fly very fast. In fact, some can fly 50 miles per hour! Pigeons also have very strong "homing instincts" that help them find their way back from far away. Pigeons make great pets, too. Many people build little houses called "coops" for pigeons in their backyards or on rooftops. They let their pet pigeons fly free because, unlike canaries or parrots, pigeons will come back home.

 

There is one other thing that is special about pigeons. This is the fact that bird scientists know less about city pigeons than they do about many other wild birds. It is surprising that such a common bird is such a mystery. But because they are everywhere, scientists seem to have overlooked them.

 

Only recently did many scientists realize how interesting pigeons are. They have many questions about them. For example, they want to know why pigeons come in so many colors. They want to know how pigeons choose their mates. These questions are important because the answers will tell us not only about pigeons but about birds in general. The answers also will help us learn more about other wildlife, about our land and skies, and about ourselves as "human animals."

 

To answer these questions, bird scientists have designed a research project called Project PigeonWatch. People just like you from all over the world are involved in it. These participants are called PigeonWatchers. PigeonWatchers collect information on their pigeons in their cities. Then they send that information to the scientists, who enter it into computers. They print out maps that show the information by location. These maps show how pigeons are alike and different from place to place.

 

Project PigeonWatch could not happen without hundreds of "citizen scientists" like you who collect information from so many different places. Taking part in Project PigeonWatch is important, but it is also easy and fun. Interested in becoming a PigeonWatcher? Read on!

Curious About Pigeons?

If you have read this far, you are probably excited about becoming a PigeonWatcher. Maybe you have become a die-hard fan of pigeons! If so, keep reading. This web page contains many more pictures and facts about this special bird.

What To Expect When Pigeon Watching

All you need to get started is some curiosity about pigeons! If you have made your flash cards, take them into your neighborhood because they will come in handy. The only other thing you need to remember is that you will be outdoors, so, dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Now you are ready for the information-gathering part of Project PigeonWatch. Scientists call this "data collecting." Go outside to a pigeon "hang-out," which is a place where pigeons gather. You will toss out bird food to attract the pigeons and count all the pigeons. Next, count the number of pigeons of each color morph. If there is time and your pigeons are courting, you may stay to observe courtship behavior. Finally, keep a written record of the information you collected and send it to the scientists.

Get Ready For Pigeon Watching

If you have decided to be a PigeonWatcher, you should first observe the birds in your neighborhood. Are there any pigeons near where you live? Find their "hang-outs" and study them for several minutes. Can you see any differences between one pigeon and another? Use colored pencils or crayons to draw a picture of any pigeons you see. You can print out this page and use the drawing below as a template. Fill in the details you observe.

 

Second, learn to recognize the different color morphs of pigeons. "Morph" is a word used by bird scientists to describe an inherited physical feature. For birds, an important morph is feather color. Pigeons are polymorphic for feather color. This means that pigeons come in more than one pattern of color.

 

Scientists know that long ago, wild pigeons came in only one color morph, blue-black and gray. Then people captured pigeons and bred them. Over time this breeding produced many different color types of pigeons. Today's wild city pigeons are descendants of these captured pigeons. Scientists want to know why wild pigeons still exist in so many colors. Why haven't they become one common color, like they used to be?

 

Scientists are trying to learn if different color morphs are more common in different parts of the United States and different areas of the world. Look at a flock of pigeons and count the number of each color morph. You can keep a record of what you find. By observing your flock, you will help scientists learn which color morphs are common in your area. For PigeonWatching, you need to learn the seven main color morphs for pigeons. Check out the pictures of the color morphs that are included in the identification section.

 

Third, learn how pigeons behave when they are trying to attract mates. This is called courtship behavior. Scientists want to know whether pigeons choose mates by color. If they do, it might explain why city pigeons continue to exist in so many different colors. Pigeons can mate at any time of year, especially if it is warm outside. During your PigeonWatch, you can observe pigeons courting by studying their behavior. The information you collect will help scientists figure out how courtship is related to color. Pictures of the different courtship appear in a later chapter.

 

Finally, practice your pigeon observation skills by making flash cards. You can print out the identification section and cut out the pigeon pictures to make the flash cards. Shuffle the cards and quiz yourself, or get together with another PigeonWatcher to quiz each other. Take your cards with you for a walk in your neighborhood. Look for pigeons and practice observing color types and courtship activity.