Quick Answers
Pigeons are scared of many things that may seem harmless to humans. Their main fears include:
- Loud noises like thunder, fireworks, gunshots
- Fast movements near them
- Predators like hawks, falcons, cats
- Being trapped or confined
Why Are Pigeons So Easily Frightened?
Pigeons are prey animals, meaning they are often hunted by predators. This makes them skittish and prone to being scared even when there is no real threat around. Their natural instincts tell them to be on high alert at all times in order to detect potential danger and fly away. Let’s explore some of the main reasons pigeons startle and flee so easily:
Vulnerable Prey Species
As members of the bird family Columbidae, pigeons lack sharp claws, powerful beaks, or other defenses to fend off attackers. They are essentially defenseless and rely on their ability to spot threats early and escape by flying away. This makes pigeons jumpy and hyperaware of any sudden movements, sounds, or approaching figures that could signal a predator is near.
Risk of Predation
Pigeons have many natural predators they need to watch out for. Raptors like hawks, falcons, and eagles are the biggest aerial threat. On the ground, feral cats, foxes, raccoons, and rats will readily kill and eat pigeons. And in urban areas, free-roaming dogs can also hunt and harass flocks. Pigeons instinctively view any fast-moving shadow overhead or approaching animal as high risk, triggering them to take flight.
Flock Mentality and Synchronization
Pigeons tend to gather in large flocks for feeding, roosting, and protection. One skittish bird quickly fleeing can set off a ripple effect of panic throughout the entire flock. Pigeons are highly sensitive to the body language, wing motions, and flight patterns of their flock mates. If one bird seems alarmed, others will instinctively follow suit within split seconds.
Unexpected Noises and Movements
Pigeons rely heavily on vision and hearing to detect threats. Any sudden loud sound like a clap, shout, or vehicle horn can startle them. Quick gestures and movements by humans also trigger their flight response. Things harmless to us like waving arms, extended umbrellas, or pointing fingers can resemble the flapping wings of a swooping hawk to a pigeon.
Unfamiliar Human Objects
Pigeons are extremely wary of unknown human artifacts and contraptions. Things like balloons, plastic bags, kites, drones, and unusual vehicles can provoke fear if they rapidly approach a flock. The odd motions and appearances of such human items likely resemble predators or other threats in the eyes of pigeons.
Common Situations That Scare Pigeons
Now that we understand pigeons are hardwired to be easily frightened, let’s look at some common scenarios that will send them into panic mode:
Loud Noises
Any sudden loud or explosive sounds will make pigeons take off in a hurry. Things like fireworks, firecrackers, gun shots, car backfires, thunder, construction equipment, and even balloons popping can scare them. The noise may sound the alarm that a predator like a hawk is diving in for an attack.
Machines and Vehicles
Fast-moving machines and vehicles like bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and airplanes can terrify pigeons. The speed, noise, and sweeping movements seem dangerous, provoking escape. Even slower moving vehicles like tractors, forklifts, and golf carts can startle them if driven directly at flocks.
Predatory Birds
Seeing or hearing birds of prey like hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls will send pigeons shooting through the sky in zigzag escape patterns. These aerial predators are their biggest threats. Pigeons fleeing cawing crows may also misinterpret them as raptors diving in for the kill.
Waving Arms or Objects
People shooing away pigeons by waving arms, hats, jackets, umbrellas, brooms, or other objects often elicit panic. The looming motions resemble the flapping wings and outstretched talons of swooping raptors to pigeons.
Balloons and Kites
Drifting balloons, kites, parasails, and other floating items drifting overhead can appear threatening, as if they are about to drop down and attack. The bright colors and erratic motions as the wind blows trigger the pigeons’ prey instincts to seek safety.
Shiny Objects and Light Reflections
Glaring sunlight reflecting off glass windows or metal surfaces and flashing lights can also startle pigeons in some cases. If the shine resembles the sheen off the wings of a diving aerial predator, it sparks fear.
Children Chasing or Loud Groups
Flocks resting or eating on the ground will erupt into panicked flight if chased by running children, dogs off leash, or loud crowds approaching. The pursuit resembles a land predator rushing in to catch prey.
Being Trapped Indoors
Pigeons that accidentally fly into warehouses, barns, or other buildings become scared when they become trapped inside. Their natural fear of confinement and lack of escape route kicks in. The same frenzy happens if they are cornered by humans or pets trying to catch them.
People Reaching for Them
When humans extend hands, arms, or nets to grab pigeons, their first impulse is to fly away. Getting seized could mean getting eaten by a predator or captured by another threat in the eyes of a pigeon. This is why city pigeons are masters at dodging attempts to catch them.
How Pigeons React to Fear
When faced with something frightening, pigeons will exhibit the following instinctual behaviors and survival strategies:
Take Sudden Flight
Pigeons’ first response to perceived danger is almost always to immediately take flight. Their powerful wings allow them to launch rapidly vertical takeoffs to get themselves safely airborne. A pigeon’s swift ascent from ground to roof or tree top takes just seconds.
Make Alarm Calls
According to researchers, urban pigeons have developed a specific alarm call that signals immediate danger to their flockmates. This distinct, high-pitched “Help!” call prompts the entire flock to flee without delay.
Flee in a Rush
When scared by a close threat, pigeons will frantically take off in a rush of powerful wingbeats. Their takeoff sounds like a sudden loud “clatter” of multiple wings flapping in unison as the entire flock mob descends into panic.
Zigzag Escape Flight
Once airborne, pigeons in terror will fly erratically while making sharp twists, turns, dives, and switchbacks. This is called “jinking.” It enables them to gain speed while making their flight path unpredictable and harder to track.
Hide and Freeze
Less dominant pigeons that get separated from their flock may opt to hide and freeze in place rather than fleeing outright when scared. Going motionless minimizes the chance they will be spotted by whatever is menacing them nearby.
Puff Up Feathers
In an attempt to appear larger to potential predators, pigeons will often fluff up their body feathers for defense. By puffing up, they can momentarily seem a bit more imposing or intimidating.
Produce Fecal Matter
Called “fecal defense,” nervous pigeons may involuntarily defecate due to fear stimuli. The excrement can distract pursuing predators just long enough to allow escape. This foul-smelling tactic may also convince some predators the pigeon is diseased and not worth eating.
Fly Toward Humans For Safety
Surprisingly, very frightened pigeons have been known to actively fly toward nearby humans for protection, rather than away from them. When faced with a menacing raptor or other overriding threat, they seem to view people as their guardians.
Why Are Pigeons Considered Pests?
The skittish, panic-prone nature of pigeons is one reason they are viewed unfavorably by many property owners:
Fear-Induced Poop Droppings
When pigeon flocks explode into fearful flight, they almost always release droppings everywhere below them. The acidic feces can damage property, vehicles, and leave unsanitary messes.
Nesting and Roosting in Unwanted Areas
Anxiety-ridden pigeons seek sheltered areas to roost and build nests. But these often end up being the eaves, rafters, and ledges of buildings where their cooing, droppings and feathers create nuisances.
Potential Health Risks
Some people fear pigeon droppings may bring diseases. While overblown, their excrement can carry fungal spores that may cause illnesses if inhaled. Their nests can also harbor mites, ticks and feces dust.
Crop and Property Damage
Skittish flocks that descend on agricultural areas or private properties can damage crops, gardens, lawns, and landscaping in search of food.
Disruptive Sounds
The loud, constant cooing of groups of pigeons dwelling in urban areas generates noise complaints. Their squeaky chicks begging for food can also grate on people’s nerves.
Scaring Pigeons Away
Pigeons quickly learn to fear and avoid places where they have been threatened or frightened. Some deterrents that leverage pigeons’ innate fear response include:
Predator Replicas
Fake rubber, plastic or taxidermy hawks, owls, falcons, and snakes can be installed to keep pigeons on high alert. Life-size replicas of perched raptors or coiled serpents are often enough to scare pigeons away for good.
Reflective Deterrents
Shiny metallic flash tape, reflective ribbons, old CDs hung to spin and create glints, and mirrored surfaces may mimic the flash of predatory bird wings enough to frighten pigeons away.
Sonic Devices
Ultrasonic, sonic and other noise emitters that produce pigeon-distressing sounds inaudible to humans can cause discomfort. Loud alarms triggered by motion sensors also work when pigeons land nearby.
Visual Repellents
Fake blood splatter, large ominous eyes, rubber snakes and spiders, and creepy Halloween props can create an intimidating aura. Scary balloons with giant eyeballs and streaming ribbons also deter pigeons when allowed to drift in roosting areas.
Chemical Irritants
Non-toxic tactile repellents applied to surfaces can irritate pigeons’ feet. Sticky pastes or gel contain mild capsaicin extracts (from chili peppers) to annoy pigeons just enough to repel them.
Live Predator Birds
Falconry programs can use trained hawks, falcons, and other raptors to clear pigeons from buildings, warehouses, stadiums, and other large venues. Seeing a live bird of prey nearby ensures no pigeon wants to land there!
Breeds Prone to High Anxiety
Some pigeon breeds seem to startle and take flight even more easily than others. These highly apprehensive types include:
Racing Homer
Selectively bred for speed and endurance, Racing Homers are on high alert and ready to accelerate away at all times. Their instincts drive them to flee from perceived threats instantly.
Birmingham Roller
Rollers have been selectively bred to exhibit a flipping, backward roll maneuver while flying. But this acrobatic strain remains very vigilant and reactive to any commotion nearby.
Italian Owl
The large, crested Italian Owl pigeon is quite the timid breed. They dislike interactions with humans and will flush into panicked flight if people approach them.
Archangel
Archangels are bred more for beauty than bravery. Their top-heavy bodies and long, massive wings make takeoff challenging. So they opt to flee at the earliest sign of any hazard.
Jacobin
Named for their feather hoods resembling French monks, Jacobins have very poor vision. This makes them extra skittish and likely to explosively fly away when startled by strange sounds or movements.
Calming Pigeon Anxiety
For those looking to reduce fearful behaviors in pet pigeons or approachable city flocks, there are some methods to try:
Provide Larger Coop/Cage
Ensuring pigeons have an adequately sized shelter gives them enough personal space. Overcrowding stresses birds and amplifies panic reactions.
Isolate Extremely Shy Birds
Timid pigeons can work themselves into a panic that spreads fear among all flockmates. Temporarily separating them can calm everyone down.
Use Calming Supplements
Natural calmatives like chamomile, lavender, passion flower extract, probiotics, magnesium and L-tryptophan can reduce anxiety when added to feed or water.
Avoid Sudden Movements
Move slowly and speak softly to easily upset pigeons. Quick gestures and loud voices will only exacerbate their alarm.
Provide Ongoing Positive Contact
Gently interacting with pigeons daily helps socialize them to human presence. Food treats aid counter-conditioning them to lose fearfulness over time.
Allow Natural Sunlight
Letting pigeons access fresh air, sunlight, and open outdoor spaces gives them room and freedom. Tight dark coops create stressful sensory deprivation.
Play Soothing Music
Quiet, calming music can lower heart rate and relieve anxiety in birds. New Age, classical, or soft nature recordings are good choices.
Use Pheromone Repellents Conservatively
Scaring pigeons away with predator droppings/scents can backfire by chronically stressing them. Use mildly and only when necessary.
Summary
In review, common pigeons are hardwired with a strong instinct to flee anything perceived as threatening. As vulnerable prey birds, their anxious nature likely evolved to help them elude predators and survive. Unfortunately, this leaves them easily panicked even by benign stimuli. Their fearful reactions and droppings can create nuisances. But with understanding and a calm patient approach, pigeons can be conditioned to tolerate human interactions.
