Most wild and city pigeons live only a few years. The RSPCA gives an average of about three years for feral pigeons, woodpigeons, collared doves and stock doves in the UK. In captivity, with food, shelter and vet care, pigeons commonly live up to 15 years and sometimes longer, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Pigeon lifespan table
| Pigeon | Typical lifespan | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Feral pigeon (UK) | Average about 3 years | RSPCA |
| Woodpigeon, stock dove, collared dove (UK) | Average about 3 years | RSPCA |
| Turtle dove (UK) | Average about 2 years | RSPCA |
| Feral pigeon (wild, including cities) | Seldom more than 3 years | Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife |
| Rock pigeon (wild) | 3 to 6 years; city birds often 2 to 3 | PBS Nature |
| Kept pigeons (pets, racing, show) | Commonly up to 15 years, sometimes longer | Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife |
Why wild pigeons die young
The RSPCA lists the main threats as:
- predators such as peregrines, sparrowhawks and cats (see natural predators of pigeons)
- disease, including canker and other parasites (see common pigeon diseases)
- people: traffic, poisoning, netting and cruelty
- poor food, especially a diet of bread and scraps (see what can pigeons eat)
Feet tangled in string and hair are also common in city birds (see why do pigeons have bad feet).
How to help a pet pigeon live longer
- A seed mix with grit and a vitamin supplement, not bread (see best pigeon food)
- Safe, dry housing away from predators and rats
- Company, either another pigeon or you
- Prompt vet care when something changes (see sick pigeon symptoms)
- PMV-1 vaccination if your pigeons mix with others
- Preventing constant egg laying, which drains a hen’s calcium
See pigeons as pets.
Pigeon years to human years
We used to offer a pigeon-to-human years calculator. We have removed it because we could not find any published, scientific basis for converting pigeon age to human age, and a formula without one would be guesswork. For a young bird, our pigeon age chart shows how a squab looks day by day.
How to tell a pigeon’s age
- Under a month: see the pigeon age chart.
- Young birds have a small, pinkish cere and darker eyes. The cere grows whiter and larger with age (see pigeon cere).
- A racing pigeon’s ring shows the year it was bred, for example GB22 means 2022 (see what to do if you find a racing pigeon).
FAQ
What is the oldest pigeon on record?
We have not found a reliably documented record, so we do not quote one.
Do pigeons die of old age?
Kept pigeons can. Most wild pigeons die from predators, disease or accidents first.
Sources
- RSPCA: Pigeons in the UK, facts and behaviour (opens in new tab)
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Domestic pigeons (rock doves) (opens in new tab)
- PBS Nature: Pigeon fact sheet (opens in new tab)
- RPRA: Stray reporting (ring numbers) (opens in new tab)
Last updated 21 October 2026 · Facts