City pigeons are smarter than you think

That cooing early in the morning is driving me crazy. You think you can sleep in, and then the pigeons coo you awake. Why exactly under *my* window? Maybe it's because of the suet balls and peanut nets I hang up in the winter? These are actually intended for great tits and other small birds, but pigeons sometimes feast on them too. Would they remember that? It is quite possible; pigeons appear to be even smarter than we thought. French research has shown that city ​​pigeons can recognize people. They distinguish between people who feed them and people who chase them away. Scientists tested how pigeons react to people in a park. One person fed the birds in a friendly manner, and another chased them away. During these experiments, it became apparent that pigeons learn quickly and could distinguish between the two people. According to the scientists, they use this knowledge to live as efficiently as possible in an urban environment.

Stamps featuring city pigeons

Malta (2006) en Republiek India (2010) Cyprus (2009) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999)

Descendants of the rock pigeons

City pigeons are descended from rock pigeons. It is estimated that 28 million city pigeons live in Europe. They can survive well in the city; there is plenty of food and nesting sites. And, with the exception of the occasional fast cat, they are not bothered by predators. Because their droppings cause a nuisance, damage to buildings, and unhygienic situations, they are sometimes called 'winged rats'.

The rock pigeon worldwide fame

Faroe Islands 2009 Bulgaria 1984 and Algeria 2005

Moldova 2010 On the stamps above, it is clearly visible that the city pigeon of the rotsduif descends from. The rock pigeon is originally from Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but is now found worldwide. The bird weighs approximately 200 to 300 grams and is 31 to 34 centimeters long.

Strange stamp from Lesotho

There are many species of pigeons. In this story, I will limit myself to the city pigeon and the rock pigeon. While searching for stamps featuring these pigeons, I found a strange stamp from Lesotho. The image itself is not odd, but the inscriptions are. Lesotho lists both 'Rock pigeon' and 'Columba guinea'. Both of these pigeon species come from the genus 'columba', and the Speckled Dove lives on the rocks. But is there a rock dove on the stamp or a speckled dove? I'm definitely sticking with a speckled pigeon.