A female pigeon (Columba livia domestica) can breed at any time of the year, but mostly in spring and summer.

Their nest is made of straw and sticks, laid on a ledge, often on the window ledges of buildings.

Females lay two white eggs.

Male and female pigeons take turns to sit on the eggs for 17-19 days.

Baby pigeons are called squabs.

The newly hatched chicks are called hatchlings or nestlings.

Chicks are altricial, which means that they are born naked, blind, and helpless.

Male and female pigeons feed the squabs crop milk, which is also called pigeon’s milk.

It takes about 30 days for squabs to get their full feathers and learn how to fly. During this period they are called fledglings.

Female pigeon with her squabs

Squabs

Recently-born Squabs

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM