birding-aus

Pigeon factoids

To: Philip Veerman <>, michael norris <>
Subject: Pigeon factoids
From: Nikolas Haass <>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 02:19:49 -0700 (PDT)
I recall that there are also some that only lay one egg (e.g. in the genus 
Patagioenas [formerly New World Columba]). The 'pigeon pair' sounds like a 
fairy tale to me ;-)
Nikolas

 ----------------
Nikolas Haass

Sydney, NSW


----- Original Message ----
From: Philip Veerman <>
To: michael norris <>
Cc: Birding-aus (E-mail) <>
Sent: Monday, June 9, 2008 6:19:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Pigeon factoids

Are you referring to Columba livia or all columbiformes? 

I believe that pigeons usually lay two eggs, although the generality of this 
could easily be checked in a reference book. The suggestion as to one for each 
sex sounds absurd to me and I have never heard that suggestion before. Let me 
know if I am wrong.

Your second point is correct. Pigeon produce a milky substance in the crop and 
feed this to their chicks by regurgitation. Although does it apply to all 
species of pigeons and do nil other birds do a similar thing?

Philip



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