How many years can a pigeon live?

It may not seem like one of life’s great mysteries, but a quick internet search reveals that people from across the world – London to Hong Kong, Cape Town to Buenos Aires – are asking this same question: for all the pigeons out there in our cities, where are all the dead ones? Alas they’re not pondering the presence of pigeon heaven, but rather, where are all the bodies?

Pigeons are as ubiquitous in the world’s cities as bad traffic, buskers, and late-night takeaways. London alone is estimated to contain more than a million pigeons, inhabiting the many parks and gardens that crisscross its 1,000 square miles. Given these vast numbers – and the fact that an urban pigeon seldom lives for more than three or four years – it’s a wonder why they are not strewn across city streets.

There are several possible reasons for this. First, pigeons are just one part of a wide array of creatures to have adopted our cities as their home. Foxes, rats, gulls, crows and ravens all do a wonderful job of cleaning up any carrion they come across, including deceased pigeons. These species perform inestimable services to the urban ecosystem, reducing human exposure to rotting matter and helping cut the transmission of infectious diseases.

Alongside these native janitors, domestic cats are equally happy to take care of a dead or injured pigeon. It is estimated that there are half a million cats living in London alone – roughly two pigeons per cat – and if you’re “lucky” they might bring one home as a present. Whether a resident moggy or some other carnivore, this network of surreptitious street cleaners will usually whisk away any pigeon corpses long before they’re seen by human eyes.

High-rise hideaways

Most pigeons, however, don’t simply drop dead on the ground. To understand where pigeons themselves are likely to go when feeling vulnerable or unwell, we need to delve into their origins. The pigeons we see in cities are domestic pigeons who have undergone some serious “rewilding”. They were originally bred as homing pigeons, trained birds who relayed important messages over large distances long before telephones. These pigeons even won prestigious medals in both world wars.

Going back further, the original homing pigeons were bred centuries ago from wild rock doves, a species which inhabits sea cliffs and coastal caves. Cities, with their high-rise buildings and elevated ledges, provide ideal nest sites for feral pigeons, and create an environment reminiscent of their ancestral homes. This background means that, when sick or injured, pigeons instinctively retreat to dark, remote places – ventilation systems, attics, building ledges – hoping to remain out of reach and unnoticed by predators. The predators don’t see them, but neither do we: often when pigeons expire, they are in hiding.

Gone before their time

But what actually causes a pigeon to die? As they get older, pigeons become more susceptible to disease, and often become slower to react to oncoming predators. It is well-established that when a predator attacks a flock of birds, slower individuals can become isolated from the group, making them easy prey. Dying of old age is not a luxury afforded to most pigeons: as soon as they shows signs of slowness or sickness, many are snapped up by peregrine falcons, sparrowhawks, or other predators.

One slightly macabre alternative that occurs in big cities, involves the netting that often hangs around buildings. Birds can easily fly into it and become entangled: not just old or sick pigeons, but any bird unfortunate enough not to notice it. Netting is usually high above the ground, so after some fruitless struggling dead pigeons usually hang there, away from the scavengers below.

Whether snatched midair by birds of prey, entangled by man made obstacles or alone in a remote corner of a skyscraper’s roof garden, there are many ways that pigeons pass on from this world. But they all take place within an internal urban ecosystem, that, for the most part, is hidden from our sight.

The humble Wood pigeon is one of the UK and Western Europe’s most common representatives of the Columbidae family of pigeons and doves. Wood pigeons are the third most commonly seen garden bird in the UK, sitting just behind Blue tits and Blackbirds. Here, we’ll be answering the question; how long do Wood pigeons live?

Wood pigeons live for around 3 years on average, but many live until they’re 6 or so. Wood pigeons’ relatively short lives are due to high 1st-year mortality rates. In their first year, as many as 52% of all pigeon juveniles die. However, Wood pigeons are prolific breeders and are one of few species to breed practically all year round. This is partly how they sustain high numbers despite short lifespans and high mortality.

Wood pigeons appear somewhat daft and stupid, but they’re actually some of the most intelligent birds on the planet. Dubbed ‘Britain’s most misunderstood bird’, pigeons possess phenomenal memories and pass the mirror test, meaning they recognise their own reflection.

Wood pigeons also mate for life and maintain strong pair bonds for the duration, which helps them save courtship time and concentrate on breeding! Read on to learn more about the lifespans of these hardy, intelligent and adaptable birds.

Wood Pigeons live for around three years, on average

What is the typical lifespan of Wood pigeons?

The average lifespan of Wood pigeons is around 3 years, though some studies found that 3 to 6 years was likely more accurate.

For their size, Wood pigeons have short lifespans, but they make the most of it by being one of the only European birds to breed all year round.

In fact, Wood pigeons have been recorded nesting in every month, which contrasts with most birds that breed for just two to four months a year.

How long do Wood pigeons live in the wild

In the wild, Wood pigeons live for around 3 years on average, rising to 6 years in some locations. 52% of juvenile Wood pigeons die in their first year, and the year-on-year survival rate for adults is around 61%.

So, every year, a slim majority of juveniles and around 4/10 of all adult Wood pigeons will die. With that said, there have been cases of pigeons living for longer than 10 years in the wild, and the oldest pigeon was 17-years and 8 months old!

Wood pigeons make up for high mortality by laying around 3 clutches of eggs every year, though some couples will attempt to lay more if the broods fail. Wood pigeons can attempt up to six clutches in one year.

Close up portrait of a Wood Pigeon

How long do Wood pigeons live in captivity?

Captive Wood pigeons are rare - these are very much wild birds. However, captive racing pigeons and doves can comfortably live for 10 to 15 years. A Wood pigeon could likely live for the same amount of time, providing it’s well-cared for.

How do most Wood pigeons die?

Most Wood pigeons die as chicks or juveniles. Wood pigeon chicks are vulnerable to predation in the nest by corvids, hawks (particularly the Sparrowhawk), squirrels, owls, foxes, and domestic cats.

Around 73% of nests survive, and around 52% of juvenile Wood pigeons survive until they’re 1-year-old.

Once adults, Wood pigeons still face threats from a wide range of predators. As they age, they also become susceptible to disease and cold conditions.

Wood Pigeon foraging for food on the ground in autumn

What is the life cycle of a Wood pigeon?

Wood pigeons have relatively fast lifecycles, but they stay with their parents for quite a long time before becoming independent. Incubation takes around 17 days in the UK and Western Europe, and the birds are ready to fledge after around 30 to 36 days.

After then, the male may continue to feed them occasionally for another two weeks or so while the female prepares for the next brood.

• Incubation Time: 17 to 19 days
• Fledging: 30 to 36 days
• Sexual Maturity: 7 to 12 months
• Lifespan: 3 to 6 years

What are the predators of Wood pigeons?

In Europe, Wood pigeons face many threats on land and in the air. However, Wood pigeons have keen instincts and are generally good at evading predators.

Mammals

• Foxes
• Cats
• Badgers
• Ferrets, stoats, weasels and mink
• Squirrels (chicks only)

Birds

• Owls
• Hawks, particularly Sparrowhawks and Peregrine falcons
• Gulls
• Corvids; jays, crows and magpies

A pair of common Wood pigeons perched in a tree together

How old is the oldest Wood pigeon?

The oldest Wood pigeon was 17 years and nine months and was found on the Orkney Islands.

How long can Wood pigeons live without food?

Wood pigeons are very unfussy feeders and will eat practically any scraps you leave out for them, though they are primarily grain and seed eaters.

Pigeons have substantial crops, which are specialist digestive ‘pouches’ used to store excess food for later digestion and feeding to chicks. As a result of this crop, Wood pigeons can go for days without a large meal, providing they really gorged themselves prior. Wood pigeon crops can hold around 80ml or 3oz of food - plenty enough for a few meals!

A large flock of Wood Pigeons during the winter

How do Wood pigeons survive winter?

While Wood pigeons migrate during the winter from Russia, Scandinavia and Iceland, they’re all-year-round residents in the UK and much of Central and Western Europe.

Wood pigeons are plump, stout birds with a decent layer of fat and dense feathers that can be puffed up in the winter. They retreat into sheltered roosts in the winter but can tolerate cold temperatures well.

Are Wood pigeons protected?

Wood pigeons are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, but some people, like farmers, can lawfully kill them under certain circumstances.

The law surrounding shooting pigeons and other wild animals in the UK is complex. Farmers and other specific individuals have been allowed to kill pigeons and other birds that directly impact their livestock, crops or livelihood. However, this ‘general licence’ was revoked by a legal challenge in 2019. The general licence was reinstated in 2022, and Wood pigeons can now legally be killed by specific individuals if they pose a disease risk to livestock or destroy crops.

To further complicate matters, Wood pigeons were recently placed on the Amber list as ‘Bird of Concern’ due to their numbers declining for the first time in a while.

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