A pigeon’s beak is a short, slim bill covered in keratin, with a soft, pale swelling at the base called the cere or wattle. It is built for picking up seeds and swallowing them whole. Pigeons are also unusual among birds in how they drink: they keep the beak in the water and suck it up like a straw, rather than scooping and tipping their head back. A healthy beak should be smooth, closed neatly and be free of lumps or crusts.
Please note: this article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from an avian vet or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you have found an injured or sick bird, contact a vet or your local rescue (see our list of pigeon-friendly rescue centres).
Parts of the beak
- Upper and lower mandibles: the two halves of the bill, made of bone covered in keratin, which grows continuously and wears down with use.
- Cere (wattle): the fleshy area above the nostrils. See pigeon cere.
- Nostrils (nares): slits under the cere.
- Commissure: the corners of the mouth, where pox lumps often appear.
See pigeon anatomy for the rest of the body.
How pigeons drink
The Association of Avian Veterinarians’ husbandry guide describes how pigeons and doves keep their heads down and suck water up using the beak like a straw. This is why they need water deep enough to put the beak in.
Feeding squabs
Parents feed young by letting the squab put its beak into theirs and bringing up crop milk or softened seed. See do pigeons produce milk.
Beak shape in different breeds
Feral pigeons have medium-length beaks. Some fancy breeds have been bred for very short beaks, such as short-faced tumblers and owls, and others for large wattles, such as carriers and barbs. Very short beaks can make it hard for parents to feed their young, and breeders of these birds often use foster parents. See types of pigeon.
Beak colour
Beak colour mostly follows feather colour. The typical blue-grey feral pigeon has a dark grey to black beak, while white, pale or red-coloured pigeons usually have a pale, flesh-coloured beak. Some birds have a dark tip on a pale beak. None of this says anything about health.
What does matter is a change. A beak that becomes flaky, crusty or develops lumps, or a mouth with yellow cheesy patches inside, needs a vet. See canker in pigeons. The pale swelling above the beak changes colour too; see pigeon cere.
Common beak problems
- Canker: yellow cheesy growths in the mouth or throat. See canker in pigeons.
- Pox: wart-like lumps at the corners of the mouth and on the cere.
- Overgrown beak: may be a sign of liver disease or poor nutrition, not just lack of wear.
- Injury: cracked or broken beaks from fights or collisions.
- Crossed beak: a developmental problem seen in some young birds.
Do not trim a pigeon’s beak yourself. Cutting too far can hit the blood supply, which is painful and can bleed heavily.
What to do if a pigeon’s beak is broken
A small chip at the tip often grows out over a few weeks, because the keratin keeps growing. A bigger break is more serious, because the beak has a blood supply and nerves inside.
- If it is bleeding, press gently with clean gauze or kitchen roll for a few minutes.
- Keep the bird in a box somewhere warm and quiet.
- Offer seed in a deep dish and water at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep, so it can scoop food and drink without needing a sharp tip.
- Take it to a vet or rescue if a large piece is missing, the bleeding won’t stop, the beak no longer closes, or the bird can’t pick up food. See what to do if you find an injured pigeon.
When to see an avian vet or contact a rescue
See a vet if a pigeon has lumps or crusts on the beak, a beak that does not close, bleeding, an overgrown beak, or is struggling to eat or drink. Breathing with the beak open at rest can mean a breathing problem or overheating.
FAQ
Do pigeons have teeth?
No. They swallow food whole and grind it in the gizzard. See do pigeons need grit.
Why does a pigeon’s beak change colour?
Young squabs have a dark-tipped, pinkish beak. The cere turns whiter as they mature. See what does a baby pigeon look like.
This guide is general information. If a bird is injured or seriously ill, contact an avian vet or a wildlife rescue as soon as you can.
Sources
- Association of Avian Veterinarians: Pigeon husbandry (PDF) (opens in new tab)
- National Pigeon Association: Breeds (opens in new tab)
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026
Last updated 1 November 2026 · Health