Do Pigeons Lay Eggs? (Pigeon Facts)

In short, yes pigeons lay eggs. All birds have the ability to lay eggs but they only hatch when they have been fertilised by a male.

This article will explain all there is to know about pigeon eggs. Including answering questions such as how many eggs pigeons lay and where pigeons will typically lay their eggs and if they can do this without building a nest.

Do Pigeons Lay Eggs

All female pigeons have the ability to be able to lay eggs as they are birds. But of course, to get a baby pigeon the female will have to mate with a male in order for the egg to be fertilised. If the eggs are not fertilised by a male, then the female will still lay eggs however the eggs will not be able to hatch.

If pigeons lay eggs, you may wonder why you never see a baby pigeon. This is because baby pigeons will stay in their nests until they have fully feathered and are mature enough to leave their nests. However, when they are mature enough to leave, they are usually a similar size to an adult which is why you will rarely see a baby pigeon.

How Many Eggs Do Pigeons Lay

When pigeons lay eggs, the female tends to lay two small white eggs, although these are not on the same day. The second egg is usually laid the day after the first one.

Once the female pigeon has laid its eggs it actually only takes about 18 days for them to hatch. Both the male and female pigeons will incubate the eggs until they hatch. From this, the baby pigeons will then only stay in the nest for a short amount of time. They usually leave the nest around the 25^th-29^th day of their lives. Pigeons tend to reach their sexual maturity around 7 months old.

When Do Pigeons Lay Eggs In The UK

You may be surprised that pigeons can actually breed all year round. However, in the UK it is more common for pigeons to breed in autumn and spring. The most common time for pigeons to lay their eggs is usually early evening, between 5 and 8 pm.

If the conditions are right, pigeons can lay eggs up to 12 times a year, this is the same as once a month. Although it is important to note that if a pigeon laid eggs this frequently, not all of these will hatch as some of these eggs would be infertile.

Can Pigeons Lay Eggs Without A Nest

There are many different species of pigeon and there are only actually a few who build nests. Therefore, pigeons can lay eggs without building a traditional looking birds nest.

The wood pigeon is the type of pigeon that builds their nests in trees which is not the type of pigeon that is commonly found in public areas. These types of pigeons are not considered pests as they live in trees further away from built up areas. Wood pigeons are the type of bird that would build a traditional nest.

Common pigeons (also known as feral pigeons) are the ones who can often cause a nuisance. They tend not to make traditional looking birds nests but use other places like buildings to nest into. So, common pigeons can lay eggs if they do not have nests.

Therefore, depending on the type of pigeon will determine whether they need to build a traditional looking birds nest or not.

Where Are Some Common Nesting Grounds For The Common Pigeon

There are many places that the common pigeon will use as a place to create a nest so that they can lay their eggs. Some of the places that the common pigeon uses as a nesting ground are listed below.

Abandoned buildings – These are very common nesting grounds for the common pigeon for a few reasons. These types of buildings often have many nooks and crannies that are perfect for pigeons to be able to create a nest. Also, if they are using an abandoned building then there is less disruption for people. Pigeons tend to find places to nest where there is an easy access point as well.

Roof spaces – These types of spaces often have a great source of water which pigeons search for when finding the perfect place to nest. They also can be easy to access for the pigeons too. When pigeons are nesting in roofs there is minimal disruption to their nests whilst also not disturbing humans. This is a very common place to find pigeons.

Gutters – This is another common place to find pigeons. It has very easy access and has a great source of water which are perfect conditions for pigeons to live in. Being high up and being able to see a long way gives the pigeons a great feeding spot as they easily dive down to find food, they are also safe from danger up high. However, this nesting ground can cause some nuisance for homeowners as this is one of the most common reasons for blocked guttering.

Air conditioners – Again these are another very common nesting place for pigeons. As these can often be big, they provide the pigeons with a good shelter against the elements. Pigeons also find these units comfortable and there are many places in or around the air conditioning unit they can build their nests. Although you need to be careful when using these units as if the pigeon’s droppings get into the ventilation system this can be a health hazard.

Chimneys – You will often find a pigeon in a chimney as they are usually warm and secluded, making this a great place for pigeons to form nests. Although if the pigeons are not careful, they could end up falling down the chimney. If this was to happen then human interventions may be required to help the pigeon find its nest again.

External building ledges – These are the final common place that you would tend to find pigeons. This allows the pigeons a good view over the area to allow them to easily find food and protects them from danger.

Conclusion

To conclude, pigeons do lay eggs. Pigeons can lay eggs up to 12 times a year if the conditions are right. There are also many common places to find pigeon nests. However, they commonly find places that are easily accessible and that have access to a source of water. Also, pigeons do not need to have the traditional form of nests to be able to lay their eggs.