Certain birds are known to steal other bird eggs and have them for a meal. Eggs contain good amounts of protein and other nutrients that can benefit a thieving bird.

If you realize that your backyard bird eggs are being eaten you may think that pigeons are stealing these eggs. But is this the case? Do pigeons eat other bird eggs? This article looks into it 

The eggs of other birds are not a common feature of the pigeon diet, but if need be, a pigeon will eat the eggs of another bird. Bird eggs are extremely nutritious not only for humans but for birds as well. Bird eggs offer nutrients such as protein, amino acids, and calcium to name a few. 

Do pigeons eat other birds eggs?

Many of us know pigeons to be very docile birds. There are a couple of birds that swoop down specifically to eat other birds eggs but pigeons are not one of them.

In the wild, pigeons are more known for eating foods such as greens, grains, berries, fruits, seeds, insects, snails, and earthworms. These birds generally have a set diet so no, a pigeon won’t usually attack and eat another birds egg 

That being said, if there is nothing else to eat and the pigeon is offered a bird egg, it will gladly eat the egg.

Pigeons don’t see eggs as the young of another animal, they simply see eggs as another type of food just as they see insects or pigeon milk.  In fact, pigeons eating the eggs of other birds is perfectly healthy, eggs can be a great addition to the bird’s diet 

Nutrients in bird eggs:

Eggs can deliver a variety of nutrients to a pigeon. Eggs are a low-cost snack that contains no carbohydrates and no sugar. A more common practice is to feed chicken eggs to pigeons.

Eggs contain around 12% protein. Proteins are beneficial as they distribute amino acids to the brain, some of the amino acids are neurotransmitters that relay messages to the brain. 

In addition to delivering proteins, eggs also deliver choline to the pigeon through the egg yolk.

Choline in egg is helpful in speeding up brain function, it does this so well that it is known as brain food. Choline is also helpful as it helps to distribute nutrients in the pigeon’s body and improves the functioning of the liver 

Why do pigeons eat their own eggs?

Finding food in the wild can be a difficult task especially during the wintertime when food is scarce.

In this case, a pigeon may break and eat its own egg. Eggs not only contain a variety of nutrients but eggshells offer birds good amounts of calcium as well. A pigeon parent will break and eat its own egg to replenish the calcium and other nutrients in its body. 

Do pigeons destroy other pigeon’s eggs?

A pigeon won’t likely destroy another pigeon’s eggs for no good reason. All animals do things for good reason, and destroying another birds eggs with no intention to eat the eggs is unlikely.

If a pigeon were to attack another pigeon’s eggs the reason behind this would be for food. 

What other birds eats bird eggs?

Eggs are an easy target for birds and if a bird can access a nest of unattended bird eggs it may just swoop in to enjoy this nutritious meal, and many birds do.

The majority of birds eat mostly nuts, seeds and grains but some go as far as eating other bird eggs, these include: the common grackle, the brown-headed cowbird, the American crow, the blue jay, the red-billed woodpecker, the fish crow and black-capped chickadees. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, yes pigeons can eat other bird eggs but a pigeon will unlikely attack the nest and eggs of another bird for no good reason.

Eggs benefit pigeons as they deliver calcium, protein, amino acids, choline, and other nutrients to the pigeon’s body. A pigeon will eat its own eggs if it is low in nutrients and needs to replenish itself. 

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other pigeon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in:  Do pigeons eat bananas?, Do pigeons eat acorns?, Do pigeons eat corn?, Do pigeons eat grass?, Do pigeons eat fish?, Do pigeons eat popcorn?, Do pigeons eat mice?