How do pigeons raise their babies?
Pigeons make nests of small twigs or stems which the males bring to the females one piece at a time. The nests are usually well-hidden, such as on high ledges, under bridges, or in empty buildings. Pigeons usually lay two white eggs. The parents take turns keeping the eggs warm. Males usually stay on the nest during the day and the females stay on the nest at night. Eggs take about 18 days to hatch. Both parents produce a special milk which they feed, beak to beak, to their young during the first week. Scientists think that once pigeons mate, they stay together for life.