It’s not unusual to hear the cooing of pigeons at night. This phenomenon often puzzles city dwellers not used to the noises of wildlife after dark. But there are perfectly logical reasons why pigeons are active at night.
Pigeons are crepuscular
Pigeons are crepuscular birds, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. So they naturally make more noise right before sunset and after sunrise.
Being crepuscular gives pigeons several advantages. They can avoid the extreme cold of night and heat of day. The low light makes it safer for them to fly without being spotted by predators like hawks. And they have the advantage of feeding before diurnal birds fully wake up.
Foraging behaviors
Pigeons need to spend lots of time foraging for the seeds, grains, berries, and human food scraps that make up their varied diet. Urban pigeons have learned that city streets and sidewalks provide a constant bounty of food dropped by humans.
So in the evening, pigeons leave their roosts and take to the streets to forage. Their cooing noises peak as they search for food to fuel up after a day’s fasting while roosting.
Evening courtship
Pigeons form strong pair bonds and mate for life. Couples reinforce their bond through billing and cooing most actively in the evenings.
So the rise in vocalizations at night also reflects pigeons sweet-talking their mates, reaffirming pair bonds, and negotiating nesting duties.
Why do pigeons make noise at night in cities?
Pigeons thrive so well in cities partly because urban environments mimic the cliffs and crevices where they historically lived. Buildings provide similar spaces for roosting and nesting.
City lights also mean pigeons experience less differentiation between day and night. There is always activity on city streets and sidewalks no matter the hour. So pigeons forage, socialize, and vocalize 24/7.
The need for year-round food
Rural and wild pigeons have seasonal food availability. But city pigeons can find food waste year-round to fuel their breeding. Urban areas provide everything pigeons need to reproduce at high rates all year.
So city pigeons breed and rear chicks on a near constant cycle. Foraging for food for growing families encourages nighttime foraging and cooing.
Light pollution
City lights and illumination disturb the natural rhythms of many wildlife species. Artificial light pollution can blur the natural transition between day and night.
Pigeons in urban areas with bright night lighting are less likely to restrict their activities to daylight hours. With the streets still bright enough to see at midnight, pigeons may perceive it as just another part of the day.
Do pigeons really never sleep?
Many people think pigeons never sleep. But like most animals, pigeons do need to sleep and rest. However, they have adapted the ability to sleep with half their brain still awake and vigilant.
Unihemispheric slow-wave sleep
Pigeons and other bird species can sleep with one brain hemisphere at a time through a process called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. One half of the brain cycles through phases of sleep while the other half remains alert.
This ability likely evolved to help birds evade nighttime predators. Pigeons resting on open ledges with their eyes open can still quickly react to danger.
Shorter but frequent sleep
Rather than sleep for long uninterrupted stretches, pigeons tend to take frequent short snoozes. In total, pigeons sleep about 42 minutes throughout a 24-hour period, or just 10% of the day.
Pigeons take micro naps of just a few seconds at intervals throughout the day and night. This light, sporadic rest makes them appear constantly awake.
Methods for deterring noisy pigeons
The constant sounds of cooing and fluttering wings can quickly become a nuisance when pigeons decide to roost on or near your building.
Fortunately, there are some effective humane methods for discouraging pigeons from noisy loitering:
Eliminate food sources
The simplest solution is to remove any food sources that are attracting pigeons. This could be overflowing trash bins, scattered bird seed, or food debris near outdoor restaurant seating.
Regular street and sidewalk cleaning will eliminate the bits of chips, crackers, and popcorn pigeons forage for.
Install bird deterrents
There are many harmless devices that create discomfort to keep pigeons away. Some options include:
- Plastic spikes on ledges
- Ultrasonic or tone-emitting deterrents
- Motion sensor sprinklers
- Dummy owls or hawks
For best results, combine 2-3 different deterrents to discourage stubborn flocks.
Block roosting spots
Pigeons want to settle on ledges and overhangs at night. Close off preferred spots by:
- Installing netting or wire screens
- Covering flat surfaces with sloped metal sheeting
- Using tactile deterrents like oil or sand
For nets and sheeting, be sure there are no gaps more than 2 inches wide or pigeons will still be able to roost.
Contact a wildlife control company
For major pigeon infestations, contact a professional wildlife control company. They have access to special chemical bird repellents and can permanently seal off buildings to prevent roosting.
When to call a wildlife expert about pigeons
In some cases, pigeon problems require professional solutions. Contact a wildlife control professional if:
- Home remedies aren’t resolving the issue
- Large flocks are roosting on the property daily
- Pigeon droppings are causing a health hazard
- Pigeons are nesting and raising young on the property
A licensed wildlife control expert can assess your situation and provide tailored solutions to get rid of noisy pigeons for good.
Conclusion
Hearing cooing and fluttering from pigeons at odd times of day or night can be annoying. But their vocalizations and activities after dark serve natural purposes for the birds.
With insight into pigeon sleeping patterns, foraging behaviors, and bird deterrents, you can reclaim peace and quiet at home. Stop pigeon noises and messy droppings humanely with simple but consistent management strategies.