Pigeons are part of the Columbidae family, and are an ever-present part of towns, cities, farmland, and woodlands. Many consider pigeons pests, failing to realize they’re among the world’s smartest birds.
Intelligence tests have identified that pigeons can determine human faces by sight, differentiate between classic artworks of painters, recognize human words, and count numbers.
Pigeons are also famed for their homing instinct and ability to locate and return to a nest or assigned territory. The brainpower of pigeons (Columbidae) rivals that of Psittaciformes and Corvids.
Pigeons Aren’t Related To Parrots
Pigeons and parrots aren’t related, aside from being birds (aves). Pigeons belong to the Columbidae family, while parrots belong to the Psittacidae family.
Pigeons and parrots are unlikely to interact in the wild because they favor entirely different areas.
While some parrots, like monk parakeets, nest and dwell in major metropolitan areas, most larger parrots live in rainforests and tropical terrain. Pigeons are ever-present in rural and urban areas worldwide.
Parrots and pigeons can’t breed. Rumors of parrot-pigeon crossbreeds occasionally circulate when unusually colorful pigeons are spotted in the wild.
However, this happens when pigeons’ feathers have been dyed to aid recognition and discovery.
Similarities Between Parrots And Pigeons
Parrots and pigeons have wings, feathers, nares, beaks, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight skeleton. They prefer to live in flocks and often form monogamous pair bonds.
Differences Between Parrots And Pigeons
Pigeons and parrots are divided by more than what unites them. Here’s how:
- Parrots have a prominent, curved hookbill beak, while pigeons have a small, straight softbill.
- Pigeons scavenge for food dropped by humans, while parrots are selective eaters.
- Parrots are tall and slim, while pigeons are shorter and stockier.
- Most pigeons have gray, monochromatic feathers, while parrots boast bright colors.
- Parrots can mimic human speech, while pigeons communicate exclusively in coos.
- Urban pigeons often approach unfamiliar humans, while parrots are more skittish.
- Some parrot species have human-like lifespans, while pet pigeons can live for 15 years.
People can instantly tell parrots and pigeons apart by sight alone.
Intelligence of Pigeons
Pigeons don’t have a positive relationship with humans, decrying them as vermin or rats with wings.
This dislike for pigeons stems from the noise they make, the diseases they carry, and defecation in public spaces. Many fail to realize that pigeons are clever, have feelings, and are excellent parents.
Here are some examples of pigeons’ intelligence:
- According to the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, pigeons can tell the difference between works of art, such as identifying a Monet or Picasso painting over a Renoir or Braque.
- PLoS One explains how pigeons can be trained to recognize warnings of malignant tumors in human X-rays, identifying this over other, healthy scans.
- A study in Science claims that pigeons have an equal ability to primates in counting and numeracy.
- Pigeons pair these numerical skills with an ability to distinguish different human words.
- According to Biology Letters, pigeons within a flock may stage a coup and overthrow an ineffective leader if necessary for the species’ survival.
Alongside an innate intelligence, pigeons have excellent memories that rival parrots. A study in Neuropsychologia found pigeons memorize data quicker than many humans.
Size of Pigeons’ Brains
If you’ve ever seen a pigeon, you may wonder why they’re so clever when their heads are so small. In terms of pure mass, a pigeon’s brain is no larger than the tip of a human index finger.
Pigeons lack a neocortex, a part of a mammal’s brain associated with high functionality, such as motor function, language, and cognition. The brain receives similar messages through neurons called the dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) and wulst.
An autopsy of the avian brain produces results similar to those of a mammal’s brain. However, individual neurons in a pigeon’s brain react to stimuli (including sight, sound, and scent) similarly to primates.
Pigeons Can’t Talk Like Parrots
One area where pigeons can’t rival parrots is verbal communication. Pigeons can’t mimic human speech, cooing to relay their many varied messages.
Pigeons lack a syrinx – a voice box at the bottom of the trachea. Consequently, pigeons can’t pronounce words and sentences with their vocal cords and air sacs.
How Pigeons Adapted to Their Environment
Perhaps the most impressive thing about pigeons is how well they’ve integrated into urban areas populated by humans. Why are pigeons so successful despite being discouraged from settling?
The most common pigeon in the Western world is the rock pigeon (Columba livia). This gray-feathered bird with a green head is encountered in most towns and cities.
The rock pigeon was initially native to cliffs and rock tops in coastal areas, hence the name “rock dove.”
Over time, pigeons moved into cities and towns as tall buildings provided equally suitable nesting sites, and the presence of humans meant that food was plentiful.
How a pigeon flies is also at the heart of adapting to life in urban territories. The wingspan of a pigeon allows them to travel at speeds of 90 mph, changing direction at a moment’s notice.
This helps pigeons swoop for food and take off again in seconds. These speeds can also be sustained for prolonged periods, so rock pigeons are frequently used as racing pigeons.
Pigeons can also hover, which is achieved by adjusting the wings to counter gravity. The downward stroke essentially acts as a parachute.
Pigeons can pluck food from elevated locations without stopping and perching.
Pigeons Aren’t Afraid of Humans
Unless actively startled or shooed away by humans, most pigeons appear indifferent to our presence. This is a sharp contrast to parrots, many of whom are skittish in the company of unfamiliar people.
Part of a pigeon’s lack of fear toward humans is due to exposure. Most pigeons are hatched and raised in populated areas, meaning they’re surrounded by people from an early age.
Avian Biology Research explains that pigeons may begin to fear specific humans if mistreated because they can recall and differentiate between human faces.
Pigeon Intelligence vs. Other Bird Species
While pigeon fanciers and enthusiasts will always make a case for them being the most intelligent avian species, parrots have just as advanced a claim to this title.
The argument as to which is the smartest bird revolves around what defines intelligence.
Parrots are the most skilled talkers, corvids (like crows and ravens) are superior problem solvers, and pigeons can follow instructions and find any location.
A parrot will meet more common human standards of intelligence than a pigeon.
Smartest Pigeon Species
Few pigeon species have been extensively studied or welcomed into our homes as pets. Not many have been subject to assessment, so most scientific experiments involve rock pigeons.
Trained rock pigeons were also used as messenger birds, most notably during WW1 and WW2.
A notable example was Cher Ami, a trained rock pigeon who delivered a dozen vital communications between Allied battalions during World War 1.
Cher Ami was shot through the heart and leg on his final mission in 1918 but delivered his critical last message, saving the lives of 194 soldiers.
In recognition of his bravery and intelligence, the French military awarded Cher Ami the Croix de Guerre (“War Cross”) before returning to America and dying from his wounds.
Cher Ami’s body was preserved through taxidermy, and his remains are displayed in Washington DC’s Smithsonian Museum to this day.
The exhibition is a reminder of the intelligence and trainability of the humble rock pigeon.
Smartest Parrot Species
The intelligence of psittacine birds has been more widely assessed than pigeons. While all parrots are lauded for their intelligence, the African gray (Psittacus erithacus) is considered the smartest.
Experiments to test the African gray’s reasoning skills, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology and Proceedings of the Royal Society, compare their intellect to primates and dolphins.
The speaking ability of the African gray is the gold standard of Psittaciformes. African grays pick up on human language faster than other species, with some learning over 1,000 words.
Parrots and pigeons are intelligent birds with unique traits and abilities. Pigeons may not enjoy the positive reputation associated with parrots, but they’re smart and born survivors.
