Do Wood Pigeons Mate For Life?

wooden pigeon (white dove) are a familiar bird in the UK, especially around our towns and cities, where they become quite docile and confiding. They are the largest pigeons in the UK and are frequented in a variety of habitats, from farmland and woodland to residential gardens and parks.

We often see these birds courting each other, but how do they pair up? Do they mate for life?

Wood pigeons are monogamous and form long-lasting bonds. They will stick together throughout the extended breeding season, producing two or three broods of pigeons. Some pairs are even said to stay together for life, but if one dies, they seek out a new mate.

Wood pigeons are known for their public displays of affection, which is a fun and pleasing behavior. They are common garden birds that nest in trees, other dense vegetation, or ledges.

Male wood pigeons go through a territorial process, protect the territory from other males, attract and court females before starting to build their nests. Success requires a variety of antics, including acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, song, dance, and romance.

This article looks at the love life of one of Britain’s most famous birds, the turtledove. Read on to find out how they found a partner and stayed so close.

Wood pigeons remain monogamous during the breeding season, and some pair for life

Why do some wood pigeons mate for life?

Wood pigeons form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, and some even mate for life. The average life span of the turtledove is about three years, and the sexual maturity is about seven months to one year old.

It is believed that many pairs of wood pigeons stay together for successive breeding seasons. Since the average lifespan includes only two breeding seasons, many wood pigeons will spend their entire lives with the same breeding partner.

Wood pigeons are migratory birds throughout most of their range, although birds from Great Britain find towns and villages suitable for year-round habitation.

Their sedentary habits allow successful pairs to bond, which makes more sense than risking the breeding season with a new mate who may be inexperienced or infertile.

Read on to learn how wood pigeons find mates.

Wood pigeons can be very affectionate with each other

How Do Wood Pigeons Attract a Mate?

The wood pigeon’s reproductive behavior consists of several stages, usually beginning in winter and ending in the following autumn when the last brood has developed its wings.

Territorial

Wood pigeons are territorial until mating season. Males occupy small territories, which they defend with violence when necessary. However, most trespassers are put off by their calls and displays. They may maintain the same territory year after year.

to form

Male wood pigeons initially prominently attract the eye of potential partners by perching on a tree within their territory. They can also sing and perform show flights. If a female stops within his territory, he will approach and attempt to court her by bowing.

The bow display of the wood pigeon is performed with the neck swollen, accentuating the characteristic white markings on the sides. When he lowers his head, the male raises his tail in a wagging motion. The tail opens when raised, but closes briefly when it reaches its highest point. The men also bowed and sang softly.

On the ground, newly-acquainted pairs may circle each other, with the male walking or hopping to keep up.

courtship behavior

It may take some time for the female to accept the male and muster up the courage to get closer, but eventually, the pair will start spending time in close contact, often caressing and nibbling each other’s necks. The female will also insert her beak into the male’s mouth as if being fed.

When it’s nesting time, the male selects a suitable nesting site in the tree and signals to his mate. He does this by perching on potential sites and making exaggerated pecking movements when making specific two-tone calls. In any case, it seems that the female bird has the final say.

Close up of wood pigeon courtship behavior

How many times do wood pigeons mate a year?

In the UK wood pigeons usually have two or three broods per year. Given the right conditions and food supply, they will reproduce. However, predation results in the loss of many eggs, so these birds make half a dozen attempts a year if necessary.

Wood pigeons start nesting in England between February and April. Their extended breeding season usually lasts into fall, although some nests remain active until December.

Modern crops are thought to allow these birds to extend the breeding season into winter.

What happens when a wood pigeon mate dies?

Unfortunately, one wood pigeon mate dies and the remaining bird will be looking for a new mate. Widowed males will try to attract new mates, while females will approach unmated males in another territory.

Wood pigeons face many threats from hunters, foxes and birds of prey such as sparrowhawks. Inevitably, breeding birds lose mates from time to time. These birds can live up to 17 years, so longer-lived individuals may have multiple partners throughout their lives.

A pair of wood pigeons drinking water from a pond

Do wood pigeons grieve the loss of a mate?

Many people believe that birds are capable of mourning. For example, magpies have been known to gather around recently deceased acquaintances, and people all over the world seem to know of their departure. But what about pigeons? Are they really sad?

Wood pigeons devote a lot of time and energy to securing a mate and maintaining an intimate relationship. Losing a partner almost certainly causes pain, though we don’t know how that compares to our own grief and mourning.

Do wood pigeon birds stay together as a family?

Wood pigeons leave the nest less than a month after hatching. Their parents continue to feed them for a while after they are fledgling, but eventually, they must leave to establish their own territory or join another’s.

wooden pigeon is very kind

Can turtledoves kiss?

Wood pigeons are the quintessential loving birds. The close couple spend a lot of time in each other’s company, sharing tender moments that even look very much like kisses. This behavior usually occurs before mating.

A female wood pigeon will insert her beak into a male during courtship. The behavior is reminiscent of a baby bird begging for food, although it’s unclear whether the males actually divert any food.