Philippine Green Pigeon Breed Guide: A Comprehensive Overview
Philippine green pigeons are small-to-medium-sized birds that belong to the Columbidae family. These birds are known for their distinctive green coloration, ranging from olive-green to brownish-green, depending on factors like age and sex.
They are native to the Philippines and live in forests, mangroves, and agricultural areas throughout the country. If you’re considering caring for Philippine green pigeons, you should know a few things about these birds. Read on to find out more.
In this guide, I’ll explore everything from their diet and habitat to their breeding habits and recommended care practices so you can provide your Philippine green pigeon with the best possible life.
Characteristics of The Philippine Green Pigeon
The Philippine Green Pigeon, scientifically known as Treron axillaris, is a species of pigeon endemic to the Philippines. It is known for its striking appearance and distinctive characteristics. Here are some key characteristics of the Philippine Green Pigeon:
Physical Attributes
- The philippine green pigeon is a small to medium-sized bird, measuring around 8-9 inches in length and weighing roughly 2. 5-3. 5 ounces.
- The breed boasts a stunning emerald green color that is speckled with darker shades on its back, wings, and tail. The underparts of the bird are a lighter green color.
- The philippine green pigeon has a short, rounded tail and a relatively small head with a distinctive yellow beak.
- Feather patterns include a black patch on the back of the bird’s neck and a white patch on the upper wings.
Behavioral Characteristics
- These birds are known for their gentle and calm temperament, making them excellent pets. They are often kept in aviaries or large cages and can be trained to do tricks like flying back and forth between two perches.
- The philippine green pigeon is monogamous and pairs will stay together for the entirety of their lives.
- This breed also prefers to nest in trees or shrubs located at a moderate height. Their nests are typically small and made of twigs and grass.
Unique Features Compared to Other Pigeon Breeds
- Unlike other pigeon breeds, the philippine green pigeon has a unique vertical flight pattern. This means that they flap their wings at a faster rate than other pigeons and are capable of hovering in one spot for a few moments.
- This breed is also known for its soft, cooing call, which is said to be quite musical. As such, they are often kept for their pleasant sounds as well as their striking appearance.
Breeding and Rearing Philippine Green Pigeons
Philippine green pigeons are known for their striking and vivid green colors, and they make fantastic pets. However, before you bring a pair into your home, you need to know the proper way of breeding and rearing these beautiful birds.
The Ideal Breeding Environment
To give your philippine green pigeon pairs the best chance of breeding successfully, you need to create the perfect breeding environment.
- Temperature: The ideal temperature for breeding is between 20-25 degrees celsius. Maintain this temperature range consistently to avoid disturbing the birds.
- Feeding: Provide a diet rich in calcium, protein, and carbohydrates. Also, add fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet to ensure a balanced diet. Supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals, if necessary.
Choosing The Right Breeding Pair
Choosing the right breeding pair is essential to ensure successful reproduction.
- Age: Select a mature pair of pigeons that is around a year old. Birds typically start breeding when it reaches maturity.
- Physical appearance: Choose a pair of birds with similar characteristics, such as size, color, and feather quality.
- Prepping for reproduction: Ensure the pair is in excellent health before placing them in the breeding environment. Examine the birds and treat them for any underlying illness before placing them with their mate.
Proper Feeding and Home Care
Proper feeding and home care for the adult pair and their offspring are critical to their overall health and well-being.
- Feeding: Ensure you provide ample food and water and supplement their diet with extra minerals and vitamins necessary for the breeding pair and their young.
- Home care: Provide a spacious environment for the birds to move, fly and exercise. Pigeons should have a comfortable and clean home with proper ventilation and insulation to maintain the ideal temperature for breeding.
Health and Care for Philippine Green Pigeons
Philippine green pigeons are unique birds with beautiful green and yellow feathers. If you’re a new pigeon owner, you might be worried about how to take care of them. Below, I’ll be discussing the health and care for philippine green pigeons, to help you keep them healthy and happy.
Common Health Issues and Prevention
Like any other pet, philippine green pigeons can suffer from various diseases, infections and illnesses.
- Canker: This disease causes white or yellow patches on the pigeon’s mouth or throat. You can prevent it by keeping their feeders and waterers clean.
- Respiratory infections: Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, and rapid breathing. You can prevent respiratory infections by keeping your pigeon’s living area clean and dry.
- Scaly leg mites: This is when tiny mites burrow into a pigeon’s skin and cause raised scales on their legs. You can prevent scaly leg mites by dusting your pigeon’s legs with food-grade diatomaceous earth.
Recommended Vaccinations and Medications
Prevention is better than cure. So, it’s a good idea to vaccinate your philippine green pigeons against common diseases. Pox, paramyxovirus, and e. Coli are some of the diseases that philippine green pigeons can be vaccinated against.
Hartmann’s solution, enrofloxacin, and sulfadimethoxine are some of the antibiotics that can be used to treat infections, if necessary.
Environmental Care and Maintenance
Apart from vaccinations and medications, environmental care and maintenance are equally important.
- Maintain a clean environment: Clean out your pigeon’s cage every day and sanitize their water and feed containers regularly.
- Provide a balanced diet: Give your pigeon a healthy, balanced diet that includes seeds, grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Provide fresh water: Change your pigeon’s water every day and ensure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Room temperature: Pigeons like cooler temperature, so ensure the room temperature remains between 18- 24°c.
Can Philippine Green Pigeons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Understanding pigeons’ adaptability to cold is essential when considering if Philippine Green Pigeons can tolerate cold weather. These beautiful birds are native to warm tropical climates, making them less likely to survive in colder regions. However, with sufficient shelter and protection, these pigeons may adapt to cooler temperatures to some extent. Nonetheless, it is crucial to prioritize their natural habitat for their overall well-being.
What are Some Care Tips That Apply to Both Scandaroon and Philippine Green Pigeons?
When it comes to caring for both Scandaroon and Philippine Green pigeons, following a scandaroon pigeon care guide is crucial. These birds require a similar level of attention and care. Providing a spacious aviary, a balanced diet, regular health check-ups, and clean surroundings are essential for their well-being. Additionally, offering mental stimulation and social interaction ensures a happy and healthy life for these remarkable pigeons.
The Feeding and Nutrition of Philippine Green Pigeon Breed
Feeding and nutrition are essential aspects of caring for Philippine Green Pigeons in captivity. Proper diet and nutrition are crucial to maintaining their health and well-being. Here are some guidelines for feeding and nutrition for Philippine Green Pigeon breeding:
Fresh Fruits
- A significant portion of the Philippine Green Pigeon’s diet in the wild consists of fruits. Provide a variety of fresh, ripe fruits such as papaya, guava, figs, bananas, and berries.
- Ensure that the fruits are free from pesticides and other contaminants.
Vegetables
- Supplement their diet with leafy greens and vegetables. Offer items like spinach, kale, and broccoli to provide essential vitamins and minerals.
- Occasionally, you can include grated carrots and other vegetables for added variety.
Seeds and Grains
- In addition to fruits and vegetables, offer a mix of seeds and grains. Include items like millet, sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds.
- A pigeon seed mix designed for fruit doves or fruit pigeons can be suitable for their dietary needs.
Calcium Supplement
Calcium is vital for breeding pigeons to ensure the development of strong eggshells. You can provide a calcium supplement, such as crushed eggshells or a cuttlebone, in the cage.
Insects and Protein
- Philippine Green Pigeons may consume insects in the wild, so consider adding live or dried insects (e.g., mealworms) to their diet for protein.
- During the breeding season, when there may be increased nutritional demands, offering extra protein-rich foods can be beneficial.
Fresh Water
Ensure a clean and readily available source of fresh water at all times. Pigeons, like all birds, need to stay hydrated.
Avoid Toxic Foods
Never feed your Philippine Green Pigeons toxic or harmful foods, including chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed or salty items.
Monitor Food Consumption
Pay attention to how much your pigeons are eating. Adjust the quantity of food provided based on their consumption to prevent wastage or food spoilage.
Breeding Season Diet
During the breeding season, it’s essential to provide additional nutrition for both the parents and chicks. This may include a higher protein intake, such as small insects or soft, protein-rich foods like boiled eggs.
Environmental Enrichment
Encourage natural foraging behaviors by placing food in various locations within the enclosure. This promotes exercise and mental stimulation.
Regular Diet Variation
Vary their diet regularly to ensure they receive a wide range of nutrients. A varied diet helps mimic their natural foraging habits and provides a balanced nutritional intake.
Conclusion
The philippine green pigeon breed is a colorful and charming addition to any avian enthusiast’s collection. With their distinctive green and yellow plumage, these birds are easy to spot, and their melodic cooing is sure to fill any room with joy.
As highlighted in this breed guide, these pigeons are relatively low-maintenance and easily adapt to captivity. However, for those who are new to bird care, remember that proper nutrition, hygiene, and physical activity are essential to keeping these birds healthy and happy.
With the information and tips provided in this guide, you’ll be equipped to provide the best care for your new feathered friend.