Why Pigeons and Doves Are Underrated Pets
In the hierarchy of popular pet birds, pigeons and doves rarely receive the attention they deserve. Most people associate pigeons with urban streets and doves with wedding releases, but those who keep them as pets often describe them as among the most rewarding birds they have ever owned. Pigeons in particular are highly intelligent, have excellent memories, and form genuine bonds with their owners and companions. They are calm, quiet relative to parrots, and remarkably hardy — characteristics that make them well suited to owners who want a sociable bird without the noise and destructive capacity of a large psittacine.
Doves, including the popular ring-necked dove and diamond dove, share many of the same qualities in a smaller package. The diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) is one of the world's smallest doves at approximately 20 centimetres in length and is well suited to indoor aviary keeping. Collared doves are considerably larger and closer in size and temperament to a small pigeon.
The Pair Bond: Essential for Welfare
The single most important welfare consideration for pigeons and doves is companionship. These are pair-bonding species that form strong, lasting attachments to a mate. In the wild, pairs remain together across breeding seasons and engage in extensive mutual preening, nest building, and collaborative rearing of young. In captivity, housing a pigeon or dove alone causes chronic low-level stress that compromises both behaviour and immune function.
Pigeons and doves should always be kept in pairs as a minimum, and ideally in small groups within an appropriate aviary. Same-sex pairs are generally harmonious. The bond between a pair of well-matched pigeons is one of the most observable and touching relationships in aviculture — they will spend hours preening each other, sleeping pressed together, and calling softly to one another.
A pigeon or dove that has lost a long-term companion should be monitored carefully for signs of depression — loss of appetite, reduced activity, feather condition decline — and a new companion introduced as soon as practical after the initial grieving period.
Paramyxovirus Vaccination
Paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) is a serious viral disease that affects pigeons in particular. It causes neurological symptoms including head tremors, twisting of the neck (torticollis), inability to fly or perch properly, and in severe cases, paralysis. The virus spreads via faeces and respiratory secretions and can move rapidly through a flock. There is no specific treatment, and whilst some birds recover partially over months, many do not.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for all pigeons that will come into contact with other birds — including racing pigeons, show pigeons, and those in mixed-bird lofts or aviaries. The PMV vaccine is available through avian vets and is routinely administered as part of race preparation programmes. In the UK, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) has for many years encouraged vaccination as best practice in racing lofts.
Doves are generally less susceptible to PMV-1 than pigeons but can carry and transmit the virus. If doves are kept alongside pigeons, vaccination should be considered for all birds.
Trichomoniasis (Canker)
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common infectious diseases in pigeons and doves. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae and produces yellow, cheesy lesions inside the mouth, crop, and upper digestive tract. Affected birds may gape, have difficulty swallowing, regurgitate food, lose weight, or show discharge from the mouth. In advanced cases the lesions can obstruct the airway.
The parasite is transmitted through contaminated water, shared food, and — critically — through crop milk fed to squabs. This means infected parents will reliably infect their offspring. Diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic examination of a swab from the lesions. Treatment with ronidazole (a nitroimidazole antiparasitic drug) is highly effective when caught early. Water hygiene is essential for prevention — shared water sources should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, and drinkers checked for signs of contamination.
Crop Milk: Unique Physiology
One of the most remarkable features of pigeons and doves is their ability to produce crop milk — a nutrient-rich secretion produced by both the male and female parent from cells in the crop lining. Crop milk is fed to squabs during the first days of life before the parents begin to introduce regurgitated seed. It is extraordinarily nutritious, containing high levels of protein, fat, and immune-active compounds that support early development.
This is a physiological trait shared only by pigeons, doves, flamingos, and penguins among birds. It means that hand-rearing very young squabs is considerably more complex than hand-rearing other species, as commercial formulas do not replicate crop milk precisely. Orphaned squabs less than five days old are best assessed by a wildlife rehabilitator or avian vet with experience in the species.
Zoonotic Disease Risks
Responsible pigeon and dove keeping requires awareness of zoonotic risks — diseases that can transfer between birds and humans. Two bacterial pathogens of genuine concern are:
- Salmonella — several Salmonella species can be carried asymptomatically by pigeons and shed in faeces. Human infection causes gastrointestinal illness and can be severe in immunocompromised individuals. Thorough handwashing after handling birds or cleaning enclosures is essential.
- Campylobacter — similarly shed in faeces, Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in humans. Pigeons in urban environments have relatively high carriage rates. The same hygiene measures that protect against Salmonella apply here.
Chlamydophila psittaci (the cause of psittacosis) can also be carried by pigeons and doves, though the risk from well-maintained, healthy captive birds is low. If birds show respiratory signs or if an owner develops an unexplained flu-like illness, psittacosis should be mentioned to a doctor.
Good hygiene practice — handwashing after bird contact, wearing a dust mask when cleaning the loft or aviary, and not eating near the birds — is straightforward and highly effective.
Lifespan and General Care
Pigeons kept in good conditions can live up to 15 years, with racing pigeons often achieving this and beyond. Doves have a comparable lifespan. This longevity means the decision to keep a pigeon is a long-term commitment that should not be taken lightly.
Diet for pigeons and doves is based around a grain and seed mix specifically formulated for the species, supplemented with greens and grit (unlike parrots, pigeons and doves swallow seeds whole and require grit for grinding in the gizzard). Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Annual veterinary health checks are advisable, and any bird showing rapid weight loss, respiratory changes, or neurological signs should be seen promptly by an avian vet familiar with columbids.