I’ve always known animals are smart, but not as smart as the lowly pigeon who in my book tops the “make a plan” charts. Now would you believe that these pragmatic pigeons raise their young on mother’s milk? And it doesn’t stop there either, because the fathers, not to be pigeon holed,  also produce milk for their newly hatched offspring … and that’s definitely something to crow about … um, coo about.

Procreation of the pigeon species

You’ve got to admit that’s a mega brilliant feat and all in the name of procreating the species, which we know has been mighty successful as there are certainly no shortages of pigeons in the world - just check out the likes of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square or Dick King in Durban … or for that matter, anywhere there’s a good view and free grub up for grabs.

Why do they produce milk for their offspring?

But back to the pigeon milk phenomena which I guess was invented by necessity, because the new offspring must double their weight in 4 days and launch ASAP to avoid finishing up as droppings themselves. But here’s the thing … because these pigeon pairs are birds and not mammals, they aren’t designed with ‘buttons on their waist coats’ so they have to make do with the next best technology.

You see, these incredible parents actually produce a Super-sizer, baby formula in their crops which they siphon up their digestive tract and siphon straight into the gaping  beaks of their ever ravenous brood.

Two other birds share this characteristic

But the Ingenious Parenting Award is not the sole premise of pigeons because it’s shared with two other bird species, from totally different backgrounds and cultures. They are the shallow water loving Greater Flamingo which also produces crop milk for its kids, and the Emperor Penguin in the Antarctic who gets my vote of admiration.

The Emperor Penguin dad and his two month sacrifice

This loving and devoted father cradles his bundle of joy on his feet for two solid months, during which time he forsakes all life’s temptations to ensure his little one survives the harsh climate and doesn’t get its tootsies frozen on the pack ice. Nothing will deter him from this fatherly duty while his wife is away on maternity leave, replenishing her energy on an extended fishing trip in the deep blue sea.

And for this whole period, Daddy Emperor goes without food for fear of leaving his precious cargo which he keeps   snug and safe beneath his fatherly wing, while sustaining the vulnerable baby on warm, nourishing milk from his crop.

And that’s a very hard act to follow … no matter what species you are!