<aside> 🐦 Before choosing your very first pigeon, you should be very confident that pigeons in general are good pets for you and your household.Are Pigeons a Good Pet for You? is a helpful guide on that subject.

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Congratulations: you’ve decided to get a pigeon! Pigeons can make wonderful pets, and this guide will help you understand how to increase the chances of finding your ideal companion. There are many considerations to take into account when choosing your bird—from gender to breed to where to actually find one—but after going through this guide, you should have good understanding of what your ideal pigeon is like.

Keep in mind that, when it comes to your pigeon’s desired personality, increasing the odds is the best you can do; not all birds will be cuddly and friendly, and that’s normal. Rescues can be unpredictable, and even “fancy” pigeons are mostly not bred for behaviors like cats or dogs, so nobody can ever guarantee that your new companion will have the temperament that you want. Your household, environment, and behavior will also affect the bird greatly, so while you can influence the odds, you are still getting a unique, unpredictable, one-of-a-kind living being. Even if you make all the “right” choices, your pigeon may end up behaving very differently from what you expected—but as long as you acknowledge and accept that, you will have a very rewarding and special relationship with your bird. ❤️

Choosing a Pigeon

Breed

There are so many pigeon breeds out there! We couldn’t possibly cover them all in this guide—nor do we aim to—so we encourage you to do your own research and choose the one you like. It’s as simple as that, really. Obviously, a lot will depend on what the breeders and rescues in your area actually have, so a good first step would be to check their listings and go from there!

As previously mentioned, domesticated pigeons were always primarily bred for looks and utility rather than behaviors. Breeds vary in temperament, and a good companion breeder will be able to give you specific recommendations, but there are no specific breeds that do or don’t make good pets; all pigeon breeds can be great companions, and you’re free to pick the one you like! Your bird’s gender, upbringing, and its unique personality will also influence its behavior to a very large degree.

The cost of upkeep and the upfront cost of the cage and supplies do not vary with breed too much either (although it may vary depending on the size of the bird), so you don’t have to factor that into your decision.

Still, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Size. Pigeon breeds vary greatly in size! Some breeds, like King Pigeons or Giant Runts, are much larger than rock (city) pigeons and will require a bigger cage and a lot more space. Other breeds, like Valencian Figuritas or Portuguese Tumblers, will be on the smaller side. If you would rather have a bird that’s on the smaller side, you could also consider getting a dove!
• Ethics. Some breeds are considered inherently unethical due to the breed characteristics affecting quality of life. Some may look cute, and their breeders will try to convince you there’s nothing wrong with them, but nearly all extreme deviations from a “standard” feral pigeon build come at the expense of the bird’s health, happiness, and longevity. Unusual skeletal structure, beaks that are way too small or way too large, necks that are too long, or highly unusual builds can be typical of breeds with a poor quality of life or potential health complications.
  • Beak size and ethics
  • Examples of breeds and characteristics with impaired quality of life
• Flight. Some breeds of pigeons (most rollers and some tumblers) either can’t fly or have extremely limited flight abilities, which catches people by surprise sometimes! Keep that in mind if you are considering any of them.

Age

<aside> 🐦 Indoor companion pigeons will typically live up to 10–15 years given proper care and no predator risk, similar to house cats.

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When you’re getting a pigeon from a rescue or a breeder, be aware that depending on their age and maturity, your bird will go through different life stages while in your care, and you should be prepared for it. That may influence your decision on whether to get a young bird from a breeder or seek out an adult.

• Two months is typically the earliest you should get a pigeon from a breeder. At this age, they’ve been fully weaned (can eat without their parents), know how to fly, and look almost like adults, except a little smaller and more ruffled. They are not sexually mature and will typically operate on basic instincts: seek comfort, food, and companionship of their flock.
• Four to six months is when pigeons start going through early stages of puberty before they reach sexual maturity. The range is very approximate: sometimes it can be as early as three months or as late as eight. During puberty, your pigeon can get hormonal, moody, and even aggressive; their behavior may change significantly from before, and this stage can be difficult for some owners. If you’re getting a prepubescent pigeon, please keep that in mind! The good news is, it will pass.
• Six to eight months is when pigeons reach sexual maturity. They will start flirting, courting, and actively seeking a mate. Female pigeons (hens) will begin laying eggs; male pigeons (cocks) will try to mount suitable objects. This is the best time to start properly bonding with your pigeon if you’re looking for them to bond to you and be a companion.
• After reaching sexual maturity, your pigeon is an adult! However, their behavior may still change over the next couple of years, as even after sexual maturity they are still figuring things out behaviorally. They are still adjusting to being adults and looking to find their place in the world, so sometimes their behavior may appear erratic and in some cases even aggressive, although not all pigeons will be like that. It will usually solidify a bit more around the two-year mark (earlier with most hens) and will depend a lot on their environment and training, but of course on their unique personality as well.