A newly hatched baby pigeon, called a squab, has pink skin, a large beak and patches of yellow fluff. Within a week dark pin feathers start pushing through. By four to five weeks old it is nearly the size of an adult, which is why most people never notice baby pigeons: by the time they leave the nest they look grown up.
Baby pigeon stages
The RSPCA describes three stages you can recognise at a glance.
| Stage | Rough age | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | 0 to about 5 days | Pink skin, eyes closed, yellow fluff, large beak. Cannot hold its head up for long. |
| Nestling | About 5 days to 3 weeks | Pin feathers appear and open into grey or chequered feathers. Fluff remains on the head and body. Eyes open. |
| Fledgling | About 3 to 5 weeks | Almost fully feathered and close to adult size. A softer, cleaner look, often with a few yellow wisps on the head. |
Ages in the table are approximate and vary between birds. Squabs grow fast. A study guide from the Canadian Council on Animal Care notes that squabs roughly double their hatch weight of about 20 g in the first two days, and pigeons start flying at around four weeks. For day-by-day photos, see our pigeon age chart.
Why you rarely see baby pigeons
Feral pigeons nest on ledges, under bridges, in roof spaces and behind signs, places people do not look. The RSPCA’s rehabilitation protocol says feral pigeon squabs leave the nest at 35 to 37 days (sometimes as early as 25), and they spend that time fed on crop milk and then softened seed by both parents (see do pigeons produce milk). When they finally come out, they look like small, slightly scruffy adults.
How to tell a young pigeon from an adult
- The cere (the bump at the base of the beak) is small and pinkish-grey in a young bird. It turns white and powdery as the bird matures. See pigeon cere.
- Young feral pigeons have duller neck feathers with less of the green and purple shine.
- Eye colour is darker in young birds and changes to orange or red over the first months.
- Young birds make a high, wheezy squeak instead of a full coo.
Baby pigeon or baby dove?
Collared dove and woodpigeon squabs look similar to feral pigeon squabs at the hatchling stage. Woodpigeon fledglings lack the white neck patch of adults. If you are not sure what you have found, a rescue can tell from a photo.
I’ve found a baby pigeon. What should I do?
- Look at its feathers. A fully feathered fledgling hopping about on the ground is usually fine. The parents are often nearby. Keep pets away and watch from a distance for an hour or so.
- If it is a hatchling or nestling (bare skin, fluff, pin feathers) out of the nest, it needs help. The RSPCA advises taking it to a vet rather than trying to put it back, as disturbing a nest can harm other chicks.
- Keep it warm and quiet in a lidded cardboard box with a towel and a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in cloth.
- Do not give food or water. Wildlife rehabilitators warn that feeding the wrong food or forcing water can kill a baby bird.
For full steps, see how to take care of a baby pigeon.
When to see an avian vet or contact a rescue
Get help straight away if the squab:
- is injured, bleeding, or has been in a cat’s mouth (even with no visible wound)
- feels cold, is lying on its side or cannot hold up its head
- is covered in flies or insects
- is a bare or fluffy nestling found on the ground
In the UK, call a vet, a pigeon-friendly rescue (find one on the Help Wildlife directory (opens in new tab)) or, in England and Wales, the RSPCA on 0300 123 8960 (in Scotland, the Scottish SPCA). See pigeon-friendly rescue centres.
Outside the UK: in the US, search Animal Help Now (opens in new tab) by ZIP code for wildlife rehabilitators near you, and ask whether they take feral pigeons, as some only treat native species. In Canada, call a vet or a wildlife rehabilitation centre in your province. In Australia, wildlife groups such as WIRES (opens in new tab) (NSW, 1300 094 737) help native pigeons and doves but do not rehabilitate feral pigeons, so take a feral pigeon to a vet. In New Zealand, contact your local SPCA (opens in new tab) or a wildlife rehabilitator, as the Department of Conservation only deals with native birds. In Ireland, ask a vet, the NSPCA (opens in new tab) or a rehabilitator on the Irish Wildlife Matters list (opens in new tab).
FAQ
What is a baby pigeon called?
A squab. Once it leaves the nest it is a fledgling. See pigeon terminology.
When do baby pigeons leave the nest?
The RSPCA protocol gives 35 to 37 days for feral pigeons and about 33 to 34 days for woodpigeons. Parents may keep helping to feed them for a while after that.
When do baby pigeons open their eyes?
In woodpigeons, the RSPCA protocol says on the third or fourth day. Feral pigeons are similar.
See also: What Sound Does a Pigeon Make?
Sources
- RSPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Protocol: Pigeons (2013, PDF) (opens in new tab)
- RSPCA: Injured pigeon, what to do and how to help (opens in new tab)
- Toronto Wildlife Centre: I found a baby pigeon or dove (opens in new tab)
- Canadian Council on Animal Care: Pigeons and doves (care guide)
- Help Wildlife: When to help baby feral pigeons (opens in new tab)
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026
Last updated 24 October 2026 · Baby Pigeons
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