STATUS The White-crowned Pigeon is classified on the IUCN as a Near Threatened Species. Agriculture and deforestation have reduced the species’ feeding grounds, typically inland hardwood forests. INTERESTING FACTS The bird is very skittish, and is known to simply abandon its nest when it is encroached upon.

Near Threatened (Population decreasing)

Habitat. White-crowned Pigeon inhabit low-lying forest habitats with ample fruiting trees. Its distribution in the United States is restricted to Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys, although a few individuals probably nest inland in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties (Bancroft and Bowman 2001).

According pigeon clubs, the best thing to do for a lost bird is to offer it food and water; most of the time they are just exhausted and need time to recover. If you are able to capture the bird, pop it into a pet carrier and try to read the number on its leg band.

One reason that pigeons stick around your yard is they may have found a place that they enjoy roosting or nesting. This could be on a windowsill, roof, or any other spot that feels safe. Pigeons that never leave your yard will make a huge mess with their poop.

In fact, homing pigeons have been known to find their way home from as many as 1,100 miles away, and they can travel an average of 50 miles per hour with bursts of up to 90 mph!

Today the homing pigeon is primarily used for sport and as a hobby. But pigeon races are still held around the world. In May of 2013, Bolt, the world’s fastest racing pigeon was sold to a Chinese businessman by a Belgium breeder for $453,000.

Messenger pigeons are often incorrectly categorized as English Carrier pigeons, an ancient breed of fancy pigeons. They were used historically to send messages but lost the homing instinct long ago. This is one reason why they are still commonly but erroneously called “carrier pigeons”.

A white pigeon symbolizes peace, love and honor. A white pigeon or dove is believed to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christianity. The pigeon and dove are in the same family of Columbidae, and their names are often used interchangeably. The Egyptians believed a pigeon was a symbol of innocence.

White doves are symbolic of new beginnings, peace, fidelity, love, luck and prosperity. Releasing doves uplifts the eyes, signifies new beginnings and true celebrations in flight. The symbol of the pure white dove transcends all cultures and traditions.