Wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) are medium-sized gray pigeons that are a common sight in parks, woods and gardens across much of Europe, parts of Asia and north Africa. As with most bird species, male and female wood pigeons have distinct differences in their appearance and behavior. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what sets males and females apart in this widespread species.
Identifying Males vs Females
There are a few reliable ways to distinguish male wood pigeons from females:
Plumage
The plumage (feathers) of male and female wood pigeons differs slightly:
- Males have gray plumage on the head, wings, back and chest. The lower chest and belly feathers may have a slight pinkish-purple iridescence.
- Females have gray plumage like males but lack the pinkish-purple iridescence on the lower chest and belly.
So in general, the plumage on a female’s underside will appear more uniformly gray compared to a subtle two-toned effect on the male. However, the difference is subtle and males and females look very similar to the casual observer.
Size
Male wood pigeons are also slightly larger than females. Males average about 16-17 inches (40-43 cm) long with a wingspan around 2.5 feet (75 cm). Females are typically 15-16 inches (38-41 cm) long with a wingspan of 2 feet (60 cm). The size difference is minor but visible when a male and female are seen together.
Behavioral Differences
Observing wood pigeon behavior and listening to their vocalizations can also help identify males from females:
- Male wood pigeons are often seen displaying by puffing up their neck feathers, bowing and turning as part of courtship. Females do not display.
- Male “cooing” sounds tend to be lower-pitched and more drawn out compared to female coos.
- Females are the nest builders, arranging sticks and twigs to form the nest platform in trees or bushes.
So during breeding season, watching displays, nest building behavior and listening for courtship coos can help confirm the gender.
Differences in Breeding Behavior
Male and female wood pigeons take on distinct roles and behaviors related to breeding:
Courtship and Mating
- Males compete for the attention of females using elaborate visual displays like puffing up feathers, bowing and turning around in circles while vocalizing with loud, drawn-out coos.
- If a female is receptive, she will allow the male to mount her briefly for mating. Mating takes just a few seconds.
- Males may mate with multiple females in a season, while females typically mate with one male.
Nest Building
- The female wood pigeon alone builds the nest, typically on a tree branch or in a bush. She arranges a platform of sticks, twigs and stems then lines it with grasses and feathers.
- Nest building takes 4-5 days on average.
- The male may accompany the female as she gathers nest materials but does not participate directly in nest construction.
Egg Laying and Incubation
- Once the nest is complete, the female lays a clutch of 1-2 white eggs over 1-2 days.
- The female alone incubates the eggs for 17-19 days until they hatch.
- The male plays no role in incubating eggs.
Parental Roles
- Both parents help feed the squabs (chicks) once they’ve hatched, regurgitating “crop milk” for them.
- The female broods and shades the squabs more extensively in the early days after hatching.
- Both parents continue to feed the young once they fledge at 4-5 weeks old.
So in terms of breeding duties, female wood pigeons take on nest building, egg incubation and extensive early brooding while males focus on displaying and mating with multiple partners. Both sexes help feed offspring once they’ve hatched.
Anatomy and Physiology
Male and female wood pigeons have some key differences in their anatomy and physiology related to reproduction:
External Anatomy
- Males have a cloaca that serves as an opening for sperm transfer during mating.
- Females lack a cloaca. Instead they have separate openings for waste excretion, egg laying and mating.
Internal Sex Organs
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Testes that produce sperm | Ovary and oviduct for egg and shell production |
| No oviduct or egg gland | Lacks testes and sperm production |
So the core reproductive plumbing and sex cell production differs significantly between male and female wood pigeons.
Hormones
| Male Hormones | Female Hormones |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Estrogen |
| Controls sexual behavior and sperm production | Controls egg production and incubating/brooding behaviors |
The predominant sexual hormones are also different between males and females.
Conclusion
While male and female wood pigeons appear very similar to casual observers, there are some subtle but important differences between the sexes. Males have slightly more iridescent plumage, larger body size, and engage in courtship displays and mating behaviors. Females build the nest, lay and incubate the eggs solo, and intensively brood young chicks. Anatomically, the sexes differ in their reproductive organs and hormones. Being able to distinguish males from females helps provide insights into the breeding ecology and behaviors of this common species. Paying attention to plumage patterns, size, displays, nest behaviors and vocalizations are the best clues to accurately telling male and female wood pigeons apart.
