Pigeons make a soft, low cooing sound, usually written as “coo” or “croo-croo”. They also make short grunts when they feel threatened, baby pigeons squeak and peep for food, and adults often clap their wings loudly as they take off. You can hear recordings on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Rock Pigeon page (opens in new tab).
Pigeon Sound Name
The main sound a pigeon makes is known as a coo.
This is the most commonly heard sound and most people are able to identify the coo as belonging to a pigeon even when they are unable to see the bird.
This is not the only sound though. They do not have a wide vocal range like other birds, for example, they will never be classed as a songbird, but they have different calls and sounds for different situations.
Cooing
The main sound a pigeon will make is a cooing noise.
Pigeons are similar to doves so you can expect to hear a cooing similar to a dove most of the time.
Usually, a pigeon will make this sound to attract a mate and to call to other pigeons in a form of communication.
It’s not often too loud, but you may hear different volumes coming from your pigeon, which can get louder or more frequent if you have more than one pigeon as a pet, as they’ll coo to “talk” to one another, both when in close proximity and further apart.
Pigeons might also coo in combination with strutting and fanning their tails as a way to defend their territory.
You probably won’t see this as often with pet pigeons as you might by watching wild pigeons, but if you have more than one as a pet, it could happen from time to time.
Sometimes a pigeon will make a prolonged cooing sound, sort of like a song. This is often done while they’re moving around, fanning their feathers and walking.
It’s likely one way they attract a mate but could also be because they are happy or content and that manifests itself as “singing.”
Grunting
Another sound you might hear your pigeon make is a grunting noise that is often repeated over and over.
If you hear your pet pigeon making this noise, it’s best to go see what’s happening because pigeons often grunt when they feel threatened, are defending their nest or are scared for some reason.
Chances are that your pet pigeon is safe, but something may be alarming it, such as another pet in the house.
If your pet pigeon is grunting and is in distress, you should immediately try to find out why.
He or she could be stuck in their coop, could be sick or may be injured. If you can’t determine what’s causing the grunting, keep an eye on your bird.
If it continues and you can’t figure out the cause, take your bird to the vet to have it examined so that you can rule out any injuries or health problems.
The nest call
A pigeon that has found a nest site, usually the male, will crouch in it with its head down, flick its wings and give a repeated, low “oo-oo” call. This nest call invites its mate to join it. You will mostly hear it in spring and summer, or any time a pair is getting ready to breed.
What sound does a baby pigeon make?
Baby pigeons (squabs) make high, thin squeaks and peeps, which get louder and more insistent when a parent comes back to feed them. Older squabs make a wheezy, whistling begging call and flap their wings while they ask for food. The squeaks gradually give way to adult cooing at around two months old. Our page on baby pigeons explains how they grow.
Other Sounds
Cooing will make up the majority of the sounds that your pigeon makes.
You’ll hear grunting from time to time, but as you get to know your pigeon, you’ll understand its personality a bit better and can differentiate among the variations in cooing and grunting so that you can detect if your bird is happy, content or needs you for something.
Pigeons also make noise with their wings. Males often clap their wings loudly as they take off, especially during display flights in spring, and a startled pigeon will often clap as it bursts into the air. See why pigeons make noise when they fly.
If you hear this sound, you can expect your pigeon to start flying around. If you choose to have your pigeon’s wings clipped to keep it safe while flying inside your home, you might not notice this sound, though you may see your pigeon attempting to clap its wings before it flies.
Another sound you will hear is a thumping that you’ll hear when your pigeon stamps its feet.
Sometimes they do this simply as a means to move around or entertain themselves.
If it starts doing this much more than usual, check its feet for cuts, swelling or sores, and ask a vet to look if anything seems wrong. See why pigeons have bad feet.
Be aware different types of pigeons and doves will make slightly different noises, for example Mourning doves have a particularly distinctive sound.
Also Read:
Do Pigeons Like Music?
Why Do Pigeons Make Noise When They Fly?
Sources
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Rock Pigeon sounds (opens in new tab)
- RSPB: Feral pigeon (opens in new tab)
Last updated 24 October 2026 · Behavior