Ever pondered a peculiar puzzle that's often overlooked? The enigma of why baby pigeons remain a rare sight has left many curious minds intrigued. But fear not, for an expert in the field has at last cracked the case and revealed the long-awaited answers.

Pigeons, scientifically identified as Columba livia, are charming songbirds classified under the Order Passeriformes, also popularly recognized as 'perching' birds.

These remarkably versatile birds possess a high level of adaptability, making them prevalent inhabitants of urban environments across the globe.

These feathered creatures, particularly abundant in cities and towns, thrive in locales where ready access to nourishment, water, and safe havens is readily available.

Thanks to their remarkable capacity to flourish in human-modified surroundings, pigeons are a familiar sight in parks, plazas, streets, and public squares across the board.

Ever caught a glimpse of a baby pigeon? It's a question that frequently crosses people's minds, leaving them curious. But rest assured, these adorable fledglings haven't vanished into thin air.

These intelligent birds often go unnoticed due to a fascinating trait. The majority of baby pigeons remain in their nests until they are completely feathered and bear a striking resemblance to adult pigeons. Additionally, their nests are cleverly concealed on rooftops and high-rises, making them less visible to casual observers.

As it turns out, these wriggling little songbirds are simply biding their time within their nests until they mature and venture into the skies on their own.

Marc Devokaitis, the public information specialist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in New York, finds it intriguing that people often wonder about the absence of baby pigeons but rarely inquire the same about other bird species, as reported by Live Science.

He elaborates on the fact that the majority of baby songbirds, including those belonging to the Order Passeriformes or commonly known as 'perching' birds, stay in their nests until they are completely feathered and reach a size similar to their adult counterparts.

But let's cut these baby rock pigeons some slack for their infrequent appearances.

There are a handful of reasons why we don't come across them frequently.

To start with, their nests are ingeniously hidden from sight, typically nestled on rooftops and other lofty locations such as bridges and high-rises.

Secondly, baby pigeons linger in their nests for a longer duration compared to other bird species.

And lastly, these pigeon youngsters mature rapidly in terms of their appearance, making it challenging to differentiate them from the adults.

Devokaitis explains that before human-made cliffs and canyons became common in modern cities, wild rock pigeons used to inhabit natural caves and rocky crevices in mountainous or coastal cliffs.

However, these days, any flat and sheltered surface serves just as well for their nesting needs.

Even if these fledgling pigeons do venture out of their nests, they would remain out of sight for those passing by on the ground.

Unlike other songbirds, whose nests are usually not as high up, pigeon babies might not be seen on the ground or perched on a bush shortly after they leave the nest.

Pigeon youngsters, in a way, receive a bit of special treatment compared to their fellow songbirds.

While most of their avian peers spend two to three weeks in the nest, pigeons get the privilege of enjoying the comforts of their mother's quarters for a minimum of three weeks, and sometimes even up to six weeks, as Devokaitis explains.

By the time these juvenile pigeons depart from the nest, they bear a striking resemblance to the adults, which could clarify why they're not as easily identified as baby birds.

But fret not, vigilant observers can still catch a glimpse of these little ones if they keep a watchful eye.

To spot them, keep an eye out for feathers that haven't fully molted, dark eyes (adult pigeons have red-orange eyes), and tapered primary feathers, which are the longest feathers on the bird's wing, advises Devokaitis.

So, the next time you ponder the enigmatic case of the elusive baby pigeons, rest assured they are well-hidden, growing, and preparing to take flight in due time.