How long a pigeon lives depends enormously on its life — a street pigeon dodging city hazards lives very differently from a well-kept racing or pet pigeon.
How long do city pigeons live?
Feral city pigeons typically live only about 3 to 6 years. City life is hard: predators (including hawks and cats), traffic, disease, poor food and harsh weather all take a toll, and many pigeons die young despite the large flocks you see.
Kept pigeons live much longer
Protected and well cared for, pigeons live far longer. Racing and pet pigeons commonly reach 10 to 15 years, and some live to 20 or beyond. Good food, clean housing and safety from predators make all the difference — the same species can live several times longer in a loft than on the street.
Why the gap is so large
Pigeons are naturally fairly long-lived birds; it is their environment that usually cuts their lives short. Remove the constant dangers of the city and give them proper care, and their true lifespan shows — which is why domestic and racing pigeons long outlive their feral cousins.