Pigeons are a common sight in cities and towns across India. With their gray feathers and familiar cooing sounds, pigeons can be found gathered in large flocks in parks, near markets, and perched on ledges and rooftops. But are pigeons actually native to India, or were they introduced more recently from somewhere else?
The Origin of Pigeons in India
The exact origin of pigeons in India is still debated by ornithologists and historians. However, most evidence suggests that pigeons are not native to the Indian subcontinent but were likely introduced over the last several thousand years through trade and other interactions with Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
One of the most common pigeon species found in India is the rock pigeon (Columba livia). This is the same species as the common city pigeon found around the world. Rock pigeons are believed to have originated in Europe, North Africa, and Asia over 10,000 years ago. Over time, they spread around the world with human travelers who kept pigeons for food or messenger services.
There are historical records indicating pigeons were introduced to India between 3000-5000 years ago. Skeletal remains and artistic depictions place rock pigeons in the Indus Valley civilization around 2000 BC. Later Vedic texts from 1500-500 BC also mention pigeons. Historians believe they were likely brought to the subcontinent through early maritime trade routes with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Once introduced, wild pigeon populations became established as the birds escaped or were released.
Other European and Central Asian pigeon species have been introduced to India more recently within the last few centuries. These include the Eurasian collared dove,Laughing dove, and Spotted dove. Overall, the historical and archaeological records point to pigeons being a non-native species introduced to India through transcontinental trading networks over the last several millennia.
Evidence That Pigeons Are Not Native to India
There are several key pieces of evidence that support the idea of pigeons having a non-native origin in India:
- No endemic pigeon species native only to India. India has no pigeon species endemic to the subcontinent. All Indian pigeon species are found in other regions, indicating they colonized India from elsewhere.
- No references in ancient Hindu scripts. The earliest Hindu religious texts including the Vedas and Upanishads dating back to 1500-500 BC contain no mentions of pigeons. This suggests pigeons had not been observed in India when these texts were composed.
- Absence of ancestral pigeon fossils. There are no fossils of rock pigeons or their ancestors dating back 20 million+ years found in the Indian subcontinent. This indicates pigeons did not originate or evolve in India.
- Recent arrival timelines. As mentioned previously, historians place the arrival of rock pigeons in India to around 3000-5000 years ago. This recent time frame rules out an ancient native status for pigeons in India.
- Limited range of genetic diversity. Studies show domestic and feral pigeon populations in India have limited genetic diversity compared to wild European and Central Asian birds. This suggests Indian pigeons had a genetic bottleneck during introduction.
Together, these key pieces of evidence strongly support the introduction of pigeons to India from regions outside South Asia over the last several thousand years. India lacks indicators that would point to pigeons being present from ancient times and evolving naturally on the subcontinent.
Potential Ways Pigeons Arrived in India
Historians have proposed several potential pathways for how rock pigeons and other pigeon species could have been introduced to India from other regions:
- Maritime trade: Pigeons may have been brought to ancient Indian port cities by merchants and sailors involved in trade across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
- Land routes: Migrating peoples and caravans traveling the Silk Road and Central Asian trade routes could have brought caged pigeons to India via northwestern land borders.
- War and conquest: Pigeon keeping was a common practice, so invading armies likely brought pigeons to India when settling conquered lands.
- Cultural exchanges: Diplomatic gifts and cross-cultural exchanges of animals could have transported pigeons between ancient civilizations of Europe, the Middle East, and India.
- Migration of feral populations: Established feral rock pigeon populations in Central Asia and the Middle East may have spread naturally into northwest India.
In reality, the introduction of pigeons probably occurred gradually over many centuries through a combination of these mechanisms. The keeping of pigeons for food and messaging purposes ensured steady transportation of the birds along trade and migration routes between distant regions. Once present in cities, captive pigeons escaped or were released and formed permanent feral colonies.
Impacts and Issues Related to Non-Native Pigeons
While pigeons have become part of the urban landscape across India, their non-native status has resulted in some ecological issues and problems:
- As an introduced species, feral pigeon populations are not controlled by natural predators, so they can multiply quickly and outcompete native birds for food and nesting areas.
- Pigeons are considered agricultural pests to many farmers as they damage and eat cultivated grains. Their flocks can spread weed seeds between fields as well.
- Pigeon droppings dirty and corrode buildings, statues, cars, and other infrastructure in cities. Droppings also harbor bacteria, fungi, and mites that can spread diseases.
- Non-native pigeons may spread parasites and diseases to native Indian bird species that have no immunity built up to these foreign pathogens.
- Many consider the large pigeon population a general nuisance as they are noisy, leave droppings everywhere, and are seen as pests by local residents.
While pigeons have adapted well to cities, their disrupted relationship to the local ecosystem as an introduced species causes many problems that are ongoing challenges in India. Culling, birth control, and deterrent measures to control their numbers are some ways communities try to lessen the conflicts caused by non-native pigeons.
Cultural Status of Pigeons in India
Despite their non-native status, pigeons have attained an important place in Indian culture, traditions, and religion over the centuries they have been present:
- In Hinduism, pigeons are considered sacred birds and feeding them is seen as a selfless act of kindness that can earn religious merit.
- Pigeon keeping and breeding for sport, food, and messaging purposes has been a popular pastime historically among Mughal and British rulers.
- Caring for pigeons and watching their flight are common activities enjoyed in Indian gardens and courtyards.
- Dovecotes or nesting structures for pigeons are a traditional architectural feature of houses found in some Indian regions.
- FERAL pigeons are tolerated and often actively fed as a religious act despite the problems they cause.
While introduced from elsewhere, the pigeon has become closely connected to Indian culture over time. Its presence is now familiar and welcomed in social, religious, and recreational aspects of Indian life today.
Conclusion
In summary, most evidence indicates pigeons are not originally native to India. Rock pigeons and other pigeon species appear to have been introduced gradually to India from Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia mainly through human-assisted travel over the last 5000 years. Maritime trade, land routes, migrating peoples, and invading armies likely transported pigeons to the subcontinent at various points in history. While pigeons have adapted well to urban Indian environments, their non-native status continues to cause ecological issues and agricultural damage. At the same time, pigeons have become accepted cultural elements in Hinduism and Indian society. So while not indigenous, pigeons have developed an important connection to India since their arrival centuries ago.
