Baby Pigeons

I was in a discussion with someone and it raised the thought in my head that I've never seen a baby pigeon. I have thought about this previously but never thought to discover what they look like or discover why I have never seen them. For things like this, it makes the internet amazing. Before internet, I would have had to search libraries for a book about them but now everything I need to know is at the end of my fingertips.

Pigeons are outcasts in society. Eating whatever they find, being chased by kids, and you, or at least I always see a few limping or with broken wings. No one wants to touch them and you're meant to stay away because they're filthy.

Now I have seen the featured picture I know what they look like...they look a bit strange and pathetically cute to be honest...but I suppose humans are a bit weird too when they are first born.

Well the second thought I had has been addressed: why do you never see baby pigeons? Thinking about it, it's so obvious! I mean, I wouldn't let my own child go parading the streets alone as a baby and pigeons can't afford prams. Also when I first got my cat, I wouldn't let her out of the house til she was 1! And again, I never see any other baby animals out and about. I suppose it's just that people don't associate baby pigeons with 'cuteness' or even as an interesting creature, they're vermin. They aren't on birthday cards or tv shows or kept in incubators so little children can see how they grow...

This is from the Guardian website which is quite interesting and informative:

Why do you never see baby pigeons?

Amy Boughton, London, UK

• Because you haven't looked in the right place. They are in the nest making feathers which will give them the appearance of an adult pigeon. Young pigeons, or squabs, make a very tasty food which was much more popular in past centuries when dovecotes were constructed to encourage pigeons to nest and provide meat.
  Richard Avery, Seville, Spain

• This is one of those questions that gets repeated all the time without anyone ever actually thinking about it very hard. Pigeons don't fledge (leave the nest) until they are almost adult-sized and those that don't know what to look for can't tell a baby pigeon from an adult one. In the case of Woodpigeons (the fat ones that you see on your lawn), the young ones are those without a white flash on the neck. I saw one last night, actually, whilst having dinner in my garden. You'll probably see them everywhere now you know what they look like.
  Max Wurr, Stanmore, United Kingdom

• I once saw one that fell out of its nest during heavy winds and an uglier monstrosity you will never see.
  Chris Steele, Linton, England

On a final note, this song reminds me of the sadness of pigeons: