Why do pigeons bob their heads?

Why do pigeons bob their heads?

Not all birds bob their heads, so why are pigeons the exception?


Asked by: Catherine Lawson, Birmingham

The most likely theory is for the same reason that we move our eyes around - to stabilise the image of their surroundings while in motion. When a pigeon is walking on a treadmill, so that its environment remains relatively the same, its head does not bob. Not all birds bob their heads, though, so the issue is still partly unresolved.

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