Why Do Pigeon Fight With Each Other? How to Make Them Stop? 

You may sometimes experience pigeons fighting each other. When this happens, you should stop them before the situation gets worsen. For this, you first have to know the reasons behind the fighting. 

So, why do pigeons fight with each other? Disputes over territory, food, or mating cause most fights. Stress, possessiveness toward children, and illness can also lead to fights. Several ways to prevent pigeon fights include providing adequate food, water, and living space. 

In this guide, we will explore the causes of pigeon aggression and offer practical advice on preventing and resolving their fights. Our goal is to create a peaceful and harmonious environment for these amazing creatures.

Causes and Solutions of Pigeon Fight At A Glance

Here’s a table to give you a brief idea about why pigeons fight and what you can do to stop them

Causes	Solutions
Territory disputes	Increase the size of the living space
Food and water competition	Provide ample food and water sources
	Avoid feeding pigeons at the same time each day
Injuries or illness	Separate aggressive and ill birds
Stress and overcrowding	Reduce stress factors in the environment
	Increase the size of the living space
Fight over offspring’s	Relocate eggs to a safer location
	Avoid attracting predators
	Minimize disturbance

Why do Pigeon Fight With Each Other?

Pigeons are social birds that often live in flocks and form close relationships with one another. Despite their social nature, pigeons are also known to fight each other. This behavior is driven by several factors, including

Territory Disputes 

Pigeons are territorial birds, and they may defend their designated area from perceived threats, such as other pigeons. This can lead to disputes and fights over space.

New pigeons may also become involved in fights if they are perceived as a threat to an existing pigeon’s mate or nesting site. 

Mating And Nesting Competition 

Male and female pigeons mate for life, and during the breeding season, both male and female pigeons may become more aggressive. Mostly, this happens in an attempt to attract a mate and defend their nests.

Moreover, like other birds, hormonal changes in males during the breeding season can increase territorial behavior and lead to fighting.

Dominance And Hierarchy

Like many birds, pigeons establish a hierarchical social order. Hence, they may engage in physical altercations to determine dominance and determine the pecking order.

Food And Water Competition 

Pigeons are social animals. They often congregate in areas with food and water sources. This can lead to competition over resources and result in fights.

Injuries Or Illness 

Like many other birds, pigeons may become aggressive or defensive if injured or ill. This is because they are more vulnerable in these conditions. Birds with such conditions can indulge in fights often.

Stress And Overcrowding 

Living in overcrowded conditions can stress and aggress pigeons. That’s because it can lead to a lack of resources and increase competition for survival.

Moreover, transportation can influence stress among pigeons. Many squabbles are initiated because of this.

Fight Over Offsprings

When it comes to their offspring, pigeons can become very protective and territorial. Especially if they feel that their babies or eggs are being threatened or are in danger. 

These fights can occur between pairs of pigeons, between different pairs of pigeons, or even between different species of birds. Have a look at this video where the father pigeon fights an intruder to save his babies

What Are the Impacts of Pigeon Fights?

There can be some significant after-effects of such fights between pigeons, including-

Physical Injury

Pigeons are known to fight fiercely with each other. During these fights, they can cause serious physical harm and injuries to one another. 

These injuries can range from simple cuts and bruises to more severe wounds such as broken bones or internal bleeding. This can result in pain, suffering, and even death for the birds involved.

Spread of Diseases

As pigeons are known to carry a variety of diseases when they fight with each other, they can easily spread these diseases to one another. This can lead to an outbreak of diseases in a pigeon population. 

Such outbreaks can have severe consequences for the health of the birds and the surrounding environment.

How to Make Pigeons Stop From Fighting?

Here are some ways to prevent pigeons from fighting:

Provide Ample Food, And Water Sources 

Pigeons are less likely to fight if there is enough food and water to go around. Consider providing multiple feeders and water sources to reduce competition and encourage peaceful coexistence.

Avoid Feeding Pigeons at the Same Time Each Day 

If pigeons are fed at the same time each day, they may become more aggressive and territorial when food is present. Varying feeding times can reduce competition and prevent fighting.

Increase the Size of the Living Space 

Crowded living conditions can increase stress levels and lead to fighting among pigeons. You can increase the size of the living space or provide additional perches and nests to give the birds more space and reduce stress.

Separate Aggressive and Ill Birds 

If one or a few birds are causing problems and fighting, it may be necessary to separate them from the rest of the flock. This can be done by placing them in a separate area or by using physical barriers to keep them apart.

Relocate Eggs to a Safer Location 

If pigeons are fighting over eggs, it may be possible to remove the eggs from the area. Place them in a safer location. This can reduce competition and give the eggs a better chance of survival.

Minimize Disturbance 

Avoid disturbing the pigeons while they are caring for their eggs or young. Keep noise levels low and stay away from their nests as much as possible.

Avoid attracting predators 

Pigeons will become more defensive if they feel their offspring is at risk from predators. Keep the area free from potential predators, such as cats or rats.

Reduce Stress Factors In The Environment 

Pigeons are sensitive to their environment. Factors such as noise, pollution, and human activity can increase stress levels and lead to fighting. Reduce these stress factors to promote a peaceful and stress-free environment for the pigeons.

If you’re interested in learning more about pigeon health and reproduction, you might find our articles on pigeon egg hatching and the toxicity of pigeon droppings informative. Our article on pigeon egg hatching provides insights into the incubation period and care of baby pigeons, while our article on pigeon poop toxicity explores the health risks associated with exposure to pigeon droppings. Check out these articles to learn more about the fascinating world of pigeons and how to keep yourself and your birds safe and healthy.

FAQs

Let’s look at some of the frequently asked questions and their answers related to pigeon fights and how you can stop them.

Final Thoughts

It is important to understand pigeon behavior in order to prevent fights and promote the well-being of these birds effectively. This article has provided an overview of the reasons why pigeons may fight with each other, and steps that can be taken to prevent such conflicts. 

By understanding the behavior of pigeons and taking appropriate action, you can contribute to the health and happiness of these birds in your community. You can do so by proving proper food to pigeons, as well as giving them safe accommodation.