Menu Close

Got milk? Pigeons do

Producing milk to feed babies is normally the domain of mammals, including humans. But it has been discovered that the pigeon is one of only three bird species that produce a milk-like substance to feed their young (the others being flamingos and male emperor penguins).

Much like mammalian milk, pigeon milk contains antioxidants that play a crucial role in enhancing the immune system of the baby pigeon (or “squab”).

While some studies have investigated the nutritional value of pigeon milk, very little is actually known about what it is or how it is produced.

Read more at Deakin University

Want to write?

Write an article and join a growing community of more than 180,400 academics and researchers from 4,911 institutions.

Register now