Birds that have been tamed and kept by humans as pets or for food production are generally considered domestic birds. Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use. Domestic birds are not the same as wild birds, even if they are the same species, because they have genetic, behavioral, and morphological differences as a result of selective breeding or natural selection in captivity. There are dozens of bird species that can be considered domesticated to some degree.
Requirements for Domestication
For a bird to be considered domesticated, it must meet several criteria:
- It is bred in captivity for multiple generations
- It is genetically and behaviorally distinct from wild populations
- It breeds readily in captivity
- It has been selective bred to suit human needs
Domestic birds are dependent on humans for food, shelter, and control of breeding. They exhibit behaviors and physical characteristics that are selected by humans, either intentionally or unintentionally. Domestication changes birds from their wild ancestors via artificial selection or natural selection in a captive environment over many generations.
Common Domestic Birds
Here are some of the most common domestic birds:
Chickens
Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are the most widespread and commonly kept domestic birds in the world. They originated in Southeast Asia and were domesticated around 8,000 years ago. Chickens are kept for meat and egg production.
Ducks
Domestic ducks originate from the wild mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). They have been domesticated for over 4,000 years. The most common domestic duck breeds include the Pekin, Muscovy, Call, Crested, and Indian Runner.
Geese
The greylag goose (Anser anser) is the ancestor of most domestic geese breeds. They have been used as domestic birds since at least ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago. Some popular domestic goose breeds are Embden, African, Toulouse, and Chinese.
Pigeons
Rock pigeons (Columba livia) were domesticated 8,000-10,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest domesticated bird species. There are hundreds of domestic pigeon breeds with many variations of plumage color and body type. They are kept as pets, for racing and shows, and for meat.
Turkeys
All domestic turkeys descend from the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) native to North America. They were first domesticated by indigenous Americans long before Europeans arrived. Today’s domestic turkeys are larger and more docile than wild turkeys due to selective breeding.
Pheasants
Ring-necked pheasants, originally from Asia, have been bred in captivity as game birds for many centuries. Popular ornamental varieties include the Golden, Lady Amherst’s, Silver, and Reeves’s pheasants.
Quail
Domesticated quail all originate from wild Old World quail species in the genus Coturnix. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is the most common farmed quail. Other domestic quail include Gambel’s, California, and Chinese Painted.
Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) were domesticated at least 2,000 years ago in Africa. Today they are popular as pets, for meat and egg production, and for pest control.
Peafowl
Peafowl are among the largest domesticated bird species. The Green peafowl and Indian peafowl have been bred in captivity for millennia. Peacocks are the male peafowl known for their iridescent tail feathers.
Swans
Mute swans from Eurasia have a long history of domestication stretching back to Roman times or earlier. They are popular as ornamental waterfowl in parks and zoos. The main breeds are Polish, German Polish, and Russian.
Emus
Emus are raised commercially in many countries for their meat, oil, and leather. Farming of emus began in Western Australia in the 1970s. Emus exhibit fast growth compared to other domestic birds.
Ostriches
The world’s largest living birds also make unusual livestock. Commercial ostrich farming started in South Africa in the 1800s. Ostriches are farmed for their elaborate feathers and lean meat.
Doves and Pigeons
Rock doves, ringneck doves, diamond doves, and other small columbiformes are often kept as pets or racing birds. Selective breeding has produced many fancy breeds.
Parrots
Many parrot species can be considered semi-domesticated or domesticated to some degree. Parrots are highly intelligent and social birds that breed readily in captivity. Popular pet species include budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds, and African grey parrots.
Chukar Partridges
The Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a Eurasian upland gamebird, has been widely introduced around the world for hunting. Wild populations persist in many areas, but they are also bred in captivity and released for hunting.
Canaries
The domestic canary originated from wild Canary Island finches. They have been selectively bred for hundreds of years, producing distinct breeds in terms of color, song, and body type. The yellow canary is most well known.
Traits of Domestic Birds
Domestication has caused significant changes to the morphology, genetics, behavior, and cognition of birds compared to their wild ancestors including:
- Reduced flight ability – Domestic birds often gain more body weight and lose agility for sustained flight.
- Changes in plumage color – Novel color variants emerge from selective breeding and lack of natural camouflage pressures.
- Tamer behavior – Domestic birds become docile and tolerant of humans through habituation.
- Earlier sexual maturity – Birds start breeding sooner in captivity compared to the wild.
- Higher reproduction rates – Domestic hens can lay up to 300 eggs per year compared to 10-15 in the wild.
- Neoteny – Domestic birds retain juvenile traits into adulthood.
- Smaller brains – Domestication leads to reduced relative brain size.
- Depending on humans to meet basic needs.
These changes occur through a combination of deliberate selective breeding by humans and unconscious selection of traits that adapt birds to a captive environment. Domestication tends to maximize productivity and efficiency for human exploitation. For example, chickens have been selectively bred to increase meat and egg production.
Semi-Domesticated Birds
There are some bird species that live or breed in close contact with humans, but are not considered fully domesticated. These semi-domesticated birds include:
- Mallard ducks – Often inhabit parks and urban areas.
- Feral pigeons – Free-living descendants of domestic rock doves.
- House sparrows – Closely associated with human habitation.
- European starlings – Often nest in man-made structures.
- Seagulls – Thrive in urbanized coastal areas.
- Ravens and crows – Scavenge human refuse in cities.
- Mynahs – Mimic human speech when kept as pets.
- Falcons – Bred for hunting for thousands of years.
These species have become adapted to survival around large human populations. However, they still maintain wild populations and are not truly domesticated. Their breeding, feeding, and movements are not directly controlled by humans.
Key Differences from Wild Birds
There are some clear differences between domestic and wild birds. Domestic birds:
- Depend completely on humans to provide food, water, and shelter.
- Have much higher population densities than found in nature.
- Have breeding controlled by humans.
- Are protected from predators.
- Have greatly reduced territories.
- Lack migratory behaviors.
- Are genetically adapted to captivity over multiple generations.
- Are socialized to tolerate human presence and handling.
In contrast, wild birds fend entirely for themselves and experience selective pressures from their natural environment. Their populations fluctuate in response to food availability, predators, parasites, and climate. Wild birds maintain an innate wariness of humans due to lack of habituation. Their genetics and behaviors are shaped by the demands of surviving and reproducing in nature.
Conclusion
Domestication has produced birds with traits that meet human purposes. While dozens of wild bird species have been tamed to some degree, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and pigeons are the most fully domesticated. They exhibit genetic, morphological, and behavioral adaptations to a captive environment. Domestic birds are reliant on their human keepers for survival and have lost natural instincts that are still present in wild bird populations.
