Pigeons are a common sight in cities around the world. These birds can thrive in urban environments, living off food scraps and nesting on building ledges. While pigeons have adapted well to city life, their natural history and behaviors are often misunderstood. One question that often comes up about pigeons is whether they have color preferences. Do pigeons like certain colors more than others? Are there pigeon “favorite colors”? Understanding pigeon vision can provide some answers.
Pigeon Vision Basics
Pigeons have excellent vision compared to humans. They can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to see a wider spectrum of colors. Pigeons also have a higher flicker fusion rate, meaning they perceive rapid changes in light faster than humans. In addition, pigeons have better motion detection and an ability to detect magnetic fields. Their vision is well-adapted to recognizing food sources, predators, and navigation cues quickly.
Pigeon eyes contain five types of photoreceptors, compared to three in humans. This gives them tetrachromatic vision. The five photoreceptors allow pigeons to perceive five primary colors:
- Violet
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Yellow
With these photoreceptors, pigeons can see ultraviolet light in the 300-400 nanometer wavelength range. This ability to see ultraviolet light expands the visual spectrum for pigeons compared to human vision.
Pigeon Color Discrimination Abilities
Experiments on pigeon vision have tested how well pigeons can distinguish between colors. Pigeons have been found to have good color discrimination abilities. They can differentiate between long, medium and short wavelengths of light. Pigeons can also discriminate between very similar shades of color when tested.
Researchers have examined if pigeons have color preferences or favorites. In laboratory experiments, pigeons were shown two colored lights side-by-side. The pigeons were free to peck at either light. This allowed researchers to test if the pigeons consistently chose one color over another.
The results of these preference experiments have been mixed. Some studies have shown that pigeons do not have strong innate color biases. When different colored lights were equally associated with a food reward, the pigeons did not consistently peck more at one color. This suggests pigeons do not have strong color preferences from birth.
However, other studies have revealed some subtle color biases. When comparing red and green options, pigeons have been observed to peck more at red lights. Pigeons also seem to associate red with danger or avoidance. These findings suggest red may be a somewhat aversive color to pigeons. When comparing blue and yellow lights, pigeons tend to prefer blue. So while pigeons can discriminate between all colors, they may have slight tendencies to favor blue over yellow and green over red.
How Pigeons Use Color Vision
Research into pigeon color vision helps reveal how they use their excellent color perception in the wild. Pigeons depend on color vision for some key behaviors:
Finding Food
Pigeons use color cues to identify edible food sources. This allows them to scavenge effectively in urban environments. Pigeons likely associate certain colors with nutrient-rich foods they have encountered before. For example, yellow or brown grains may signal seeds or other foods to investigate.
Avoiding Predators
Color vision helps pigeons recognize potential predators from a safe distance. The ability to see ultraviolet light may help pigeons spot predatory hawks soaring overhead. Differentiating subtle color changes in their environment may alert pigeons to danger.
Navigation
Pigeons have an exceptional homing ability and use color cues while navigating. Research shows pigeons can learn to associate visual landmarks with specific locations. Remembering the colors of buildings, signs, or other objects likely helps guide pigeons on their regular routes.
Courtship Displays
Vibrant plumage and courtship displays play an important role in pigeon mating rituals. Male pigeons will puff up their colorful neck feathers and follow females while bobbing their heads. The ability to perceive ultraviolet light wavelengths may help pigeons recognize these prominent mating signals.
Pigeon Feather Color
While pigeons can perceive a wide spectrum of colors, their own feathers only display blue, black, and red pigmentation. The most common pigeon coloration is blue-gray. This is produced by light scattering through complex feather structures rather than pigments. Pigeons genetically lack yellow and green pigments in their plumage.
However, selective breeding by humans has produced domestic pigeons with a variety of feather colors. Breeds such as the frillback pigeon display pure white feathers. Other breeds include the Jacobin pigeon with red feathers and the blond pigeon with diluted black pigmentation. But even with artificial selection, green and yellow hues are still very rare in pigeon plumage.
The blue and gray patterning provides natural camouflage for wild pigeons in urban environments. The predominance of these cooler hues likely reflects their natural history, as more vivid warm colors would stand out against stone or vegetation.
Common Pigeon Feather Patterns
While their color palette is limited, pigeons can display striking feather patterns using only blue, black, and red pigmentation:
- Common blue-gray body with darker wing feathers
- White neck feathers, body, and wing bars
- Dark body feathers with light ash gray head
- Black body with white bars on the wings
- Splashes of red, purple, or copper iridescence
The characteristic head colors and neck markings help pigeons recognize others of their own species. Variations in these patterns likely help pigeons differentiate individuals in their flock.
How Pigeons Use Color Signals
Even though their palette is limited compared to their excellent color vision, pigeons still rely on color patterns and signals for key behaviors:
Choosing Mates
Vibrant plumage coloration is used to attract mates. Male pigeons will display brighter skin and neck feathers when courting females. Certain color patterns may indicate good health and fitness to potential mates.
Recognizing Threats
Some striking black and white plumage patterns may help pigeons appear threatening to predators and rivals. Displaying prominent white neck feathers and wing bars can make a pigeon appear larger and more intimidating.
Coordinating Flocks
Subtle variations in head and neck color help pigeons identify other individuals in their flock. This allows them to coordinate movements and behaviors efficiently within large groups.
Do Pigeons Have Color Preferences in Urban Environments?
Pigeons encounter a huge variety of colors in human environments with brightly painted buildings, signs, vehicles, and artificial foods. This raises questions about if they prefer certain colors in these settings.
There is some evidence that pigeons in cities may be attracted to certain colors that associate with food or signal safety:
Red
Pigeons appear cautious of red and avoid it in urban environments. Researchers speculate the wariness of red may be an anti-predator adaptation.
Blue and Green
Some research suggests pigeons may favor blue and green hues. These cool colors are common in their natural vegetation environments. Blue-green algae and berries are part of natural pigeon diets.
Yellow and Brown
Earthy yellow and brown tones may help pigeons recognize sources of seeds, grains, or other foods in cities. Pigeons commonly gather around brown and yellow discarded food wrappers.
White
Bright white building areas and statues provide camouflage and safety for pigeons. Perching on light-colored architecture helps conceal pigeons from predators.
However, pigeon color preferences are likely very flexible. Food-finding is more important than color. Pigeons readily eat from trash cans and surfaces of all colors. Their ability to adapt to diverse urban settings shows pigeons focus primarily on recognizing food itself rather than associating color with rewards.
Conclusion
Pigeons have excellent tetrachromatic vision and can differentiate between a wide spectrum of colors. This allows them to find food, avoid threats, and navigate their environment effectively. While pigeons can discriminate between all colors, experiments suggest they may have slight inherent preferences for blue over yellow and green over red. However, learned associations and adaptability are likely more important factors than color in guiding pigeon behavior. In urban environments, pigeons appear cautious of red while drawn to earth tones and white areas that signal food and safety. Overall, the exceptional color vision of pigeons provides key information to guide their survival, but exact color preferences remain flexible to the colors associated with rewards in a given habitat. Their ability to adapt to diverse urban settings shows pigeons rely more on learned associations than on strong innate color biases.
