Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons

Abstract

Unexpressed emotions in dove showed its body expression 13 (81.25%) like incubating, tender, aggressive, feeding, regurgitation, flying, courtship, nesting, mating, post-mating, frightened, resting, and helpless where facial expression were only 3 (18.75%) out of 16 behaviours. Age-related characteristics were incubating, aggressive, regurgitation, courtship, nesting, mating, post-mating, and shame (50%). Except incubating, feeding, regurgitation, courtship, nesting, mating, and post-mating other behaviours were depended on environmental factors (56.25%) and genetical characteristics were 43.75%. Facial expressions were not seen for lacking facial muscles of the pigeons. Only aggressive and mating behaviour were prominent by observing the puffing of the feathers.

Full text

Journal of Ethology & Animal Science
Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons
J Ethol & Animal Sci
Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons
Ashraful MK*
Department of Biology, Saidpur Cantonment Public College, Bangladesh
*Corresponding author: Ashraful Kabir M, Department of Biology, Saidpur
Cantonment Public College, Nilphamari, Bangladesh, Email:
ashraful.mission@gmail.com
Abstract
Unexpressed emotions in dove showed its body expression 13 (81.25%) like incubating, tender, aggressive, feeding,
regurgitation, flying, courtship, nesting, mating, post-mating, frightened, resting, and helpless where facial expression
were only 3 (18.75%) out of 16 behaviours. Age-related characteristics were incubating, aggressive, regurgitation,
courtship, nesting, mating, post-mating, and shame (50%). Except incubating, feeding, regurgitation, courtship, nesting,
mating, and post-mating other behaviours were depended on environmental factors (56.25%) and genetical
characteristics were 43.75%. Facial expressions were not seen for lacking facial muscles of the pigeons. Only aggressive
and mating behaviour were prominent by observing the puffing of the feathers.
Keywords: Emotion; Expression; Pigeons; Zoopsychology
Introduction
Scientifically there is no difference between a pigeon
and a dove. The word pigeon comes from Latin word pipio
which is cheeping and dove from Norse origin in 14th
century as dova or douve which is diving. Lots of pigeon
towers were seen in Egypt and Iran. 3000 years ago,
racing pigeons were used in flying as competition. In 1860
pigeons acted to carry news from Brussels to Aachen.
Charles Otis Whitman hybridized several species of
pigeons and sought to confirm his ‘Orthogenesis’ which is
a form of internal force that modified species.
Experimentation with pigeons and doves in the field of
social behaviour is complicated [1,2]. Moreover, ring neck
doves were domesticated for 2000 to 3000 years ago.
This dove is originated from African and Asian species
Streptopelia roseogrisea [3]. Domesticated variety is
larger than wild variety [4]. This dove has no homing
ability and restricted vision in bright light. Dr Wilmer J
Miller who is was a renowned dove expert of Iowa State
mentioned that this domestic variety is kept for
thousands of year. This is bred in cages from biblical
times and genetic research started since 1800s. Now this
variety has 40 colour combinations. 38 colour variations
have published by Professor Bob Lockhart in 1999.
Like pigeons, doves are not domesticated randomly
through selection except Barbary and Diamond dove. Due
to close connection with human all pigeons have been
changed through its colour and structure. It has gained a
lot of peculiar characteristics (eg- tumbling/rolling,
tremule, muff, tallness, erect tail, care etc) but not in dove.
Pigeons spend a lot of time in cleaning, preening and
grooming. Hand reared birds showed a great social
attachment to human. Fighting behaviour which is a great
fault comes in pigeons and doves at the age two or more
months. Birds are covered by feathers and have no facial
muscle so it cannot express emotions clearly. In pigeons
and doves aggressiveness with puffy feathers is
remarkable expression. Normally all behaviour is
Research Article
Volume 2 Issue 1
Received Date: November 10, 2018
Published Date: January 07, 2019

Journal of Ethology & Animal Science
Ashraful MK. Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons. J Ethol &
Animal Sci 2019, 2(1): 000104.
Copyright© Ashraful MK.
2
expression but all expression is not behaviour. Behaviour
is a group of phenomena but expression is special and it
ends through emotion. French physician Duchenne
suggested that expression comes from neurological
problems and muscular disorders. There are three
categories of the emotions- fear, anger and aggressiveness.
In cat and dog these expressions are prominent. Emotion
for pain is remarkable in most non-human animals. Side
effects of some drugs on animals cause palpitation,
tremor, and flushed feelings of the face.
Materials and Methods
Fancy Breeds
For this study, tumbler pigeons and Eurasian Collared
Dove (Streptopelia risoria) were reared. Inexperienced
and young pigeons and doves with adults showed equal
expression. By the presence of predator birds like kite,
falcon, and accipiter doves were shown frightened or
escaping expression with short and repeat voice. Predator
birds were available from noon to afternoon and for this
incident some alarming birds like drongo, crow, bulbul,
and blue rock pigeon were significant.
Food and Nest Materials
Less feeding, one-time feeding and group feeding were
maintained for observing various expressions in doves or
pigeons. Mud pot with its base, bamboo basket,
newspaper for the nest material, and plastic eggs were
used for observing its breeding performance.
Semi-intensive System
Everyday two times released those birds for enjoying
their flying. The experimental cages were in size 24 x 24 x
36 and 18 x 16 x 12 inches. For observing such
behaviours needed to ensure the room temperature 950-
970 Fahrenheit for proper metabolism [5]. When squab
got the age 30 days they were separated from parent for
avoiding usual attacks. Cages with 18 inches cube were
maintained but 24 inches was ideal for a single pair
breeding. Circular cage is good for observing behaviour
because here birds not get chance to take any corners [6].
Results
Feeding
In very hungry condition, this behaviour can be
identified easily. After serving food within 5-10 minutes
birds do not look any sides. In group feeding, very hungry
birds sometime try to take food first (Figure 1). Female
pigeon fights with competition for the last few grains [6].
Figure 1: Feeding.
Courtship
This time male is continued to excite the female. If
female is in heat, shows its acceptance to the male.
Hormonal reaction and action plays a major functional
role at this stage. Completely healthy pigeons showed
their perfect courtship behaviour. In some breeds
especially tumblers spend more time to the female during
this expression than others. Huge fighting phenomena are
found in lotan or kokah breeds at this case (Figure 2).
Male is always stimulated female [7]. The courtship and
other behaviour patterns in pigeons have been discussed
in the classic work of Whitman, Craig and Gifford [8-10].
Figure 2: Courtship.
Nesting
After maturation of male and female they try to collect
sticks or straws for making nest (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Nesting.

Journal of Ethology & Animal Science
Ashraful MK. Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons. J Ethol &
Animal Sci 2019, 2(1): 000104.
Copyright© Ashraful MK.
3
Mating
After billing (oral sex) the mating is ended by cloacal
kiss when male takes place on the female. This is very
short time expression (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Mating.
Post-Mating
This is really a real expression of the pigeons and
doves. After mating, short flying or cooing in both male
and female and display of wing spreading or puffy
feathers are mentionable. This inner feeling is enjoyable
in both pre-adult and adult birds (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Post-mating.
Incubating
This is one kind of peaceful stage of the pigeons. Mind
satisfactory expression is found at this stage in both male
and female. Adult or very experienced or successful
parents are easily attached with this behaviour (Figure 6).
The male testosterone hormone had no effect on this
incubation behavior [7].
Figure 6: Incubating.
Tender
When squabs are medium in size their parents passed
time by standing (Figure 7).
Figure 7: Tender.
Shame
Unpaired/Newly paired heated female sometimes
shows this phenomenon. Slight cooing and very tame
expression is noted (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Shame.
Regurgitation
After hatching to 30-40 days of squab this exciting
expression was found. In suckling stage sometimes
parents especially female not takes any food. If female lies
egg again beside squab that time male is totally
responsible for feeding. At the end of this behaviour for
egg lying again female (mother) shows aggressive
behaviour to its own squabs (Figure 9). This time it is
urgent to separate this squab. Prolactin hormone is more
effective on regurgitation [7].
Figure 9: Regurgitational.

Journal of Ethology & Animal Science
Ashraful MK. Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons. J Ethol &
Animal Sci 2019, 2(1): 000104.
Copyright© Ashraful MK.
4
Flying
If we try to hold pigeons this expression is very often.
Landing after flying its breathing is high so that painful
expression was found. This expression is very clear in
tumblers and racing homer pigeons (Figure 10).
Figure 10: Flying.
Frightened
Escaping and frightening expression were showed by
the presence of predator animals or when introducing
new birds in the loft. Young and adult all are vulnerable
with this behaviour (Figure 11).
Figure 11: Frightened.
Aggressive
This is bodily expression of the pigeon during holding
it or they show it for protecting their squab or egg. The
feathers are erected at this behaviour. Very sharp beak of
pigeons is serious in some cases to the rearer. Heat
producing food is sometimes causing for this behaviour.
After egg lying, incubating, and hatching both male and
female shows this aggressive behaviour (Figure 12).
Bennett and Diebschlag suggested that territoriality plays
an important role in the establishment of a dominance
order [11,12].
Figure 12: Aggressive.
Observing
When any new bird comes in a loft or it looks any
flying birds observing expression may found. This time
birds slight bend its head. Very static or fixed eyes are
shown very brilliant at this case (Figure 13). According to
Carpenter pigeons will forget their mates after about 24
days [13].
Figure 13: Observing.
Helpless
Very helpless body expression is found if we hold a
pigeon. Healthy or powerful pigeons try to escape from
our hand. Feather growing squabs are very helpless too
(Figure 14).
Figure 14: Helpless.
Illness
In this expression pigeons look like just an ill person.
Silent sitting and semi or close eyed resting was found.
Any long and short experienced bird keeper can observe
it. At the time of egg laying this expression is common
(Figure 15).

Journal of Ethology & Animal Science
Ashraful MK. Expression of the Emotions in Pigeons. J Ethol &
Animal Sci 2019, 2(1): 000104.
Copyright© Ashraful MK.
5
Figure 15: Illness.
Resting
After taking food or when female sits on egg or squab
and then if another individual comes near this expression
happens. Sometimes the pigeons take rest on its wing or
lateral sitting. In some cases pigeon stands by using only
one leg at this stage; this is an evolutionary characteristic.
When one is in rest another uses its beak to itch neck,
head, and around the eye of its partner. This is very
sensationally and lovely expression (Figure 16).
Figure 16: Resting.
Discussion
Lots of theories on expression and emotions of man
and animals were found in ancient Greek. The mammals’
hypothalamus of the brain controls such emotions. If
there lesions in temporal region of the brain the animals
show the tame and friendly behaviour and if losses then
aggressiveness come. Feeding and fighting behaviour
comes from these which are useful for its self-protection
and self-preservation. The brain, spinal cord, sense organs,
muscle, and glands are accessories for such kinds of
behaviour and expression of the animals [14]. The brain
of pigeon maintains central nervous system and spinal
cord which are composed of huge neurons. When soul
interacts with mind it expresses emotion [15]. The
olfactory lobe of forebrain of pigeon maintains very poor
smell mechanism and the hindbrain connects with spinal
cord which controls the muscular power of pigeons.
This muscle is useful for long time flying behaviour of
tumbler/highflyer/homer pigeons. The cerebral
hemisphere of the brain controls pigeon instinct
behaviour, intelligence, and emotions. Diencephalon
which is a small rounded portion behind the cerebral
hemisphere maintains cold, heat, and pain of the pigeons
[16]. The cooing voice of pigeon comes from different
environmental and social sources [17]. Professor
Whitman collected lots of splendid pigeons from the
different corners of the world. Sometimes non-mating
experienced female lays egg without nest [18]. Always
male pigeon initiates female for egg laying or incubating
by its continuous voice and patience [19]. Limited space,
lack of flight, and social contact causes severe physical
complexicity in birds [20]. In captivity the process
homeostasis may be lost and abnormal behaviour begins
and it leads to abnormal physiology in birds [21,22].
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Animal Sci 2019, 2(1): 000104.
Copyright© Ashraful MK.
6
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