pigeon's milk
Definition
- Noun:
- A nutrient-rich secretion: "pigeon's milk" refers to a whitish, milky substance produced in the crop of parent pigeons (and some other birds) to feed their young. It is not true milk but a semi-solid, cheesy secretion rich in protein and fat.
Usage Examples
- (The baby pigeons receive this special substance as their only food.)
- (It is a unique avian adaptation for feeding offspring.)
Advanced Usage
- "to feed pigeon's milk": to refer to the act of parent pigeons providing this secretion to their young.
- The parent pigeon feeds pigeon's milk to its newly hatched squabs. (The adult bird regurgitates the crop secretion for the chicks.)
Variants and Related Words
- Crop milk (n): a synonym for "pigeon's milk," used for the same secretion in pigeons, doves, and some other birds.
- Crop milk is produced by both male and female pigeons. (Both parents can generate this feeding substance.)
Synonyms
- Crop milk: the same substance, emphasizing its production in the bird's crop.
- Avian milk: a broader term for similar secretions in birds (e.g., flamingos also produce a crop milk).
Related Idioms
- "Pigeon's milk" (rare, figurative): used in some contexts to describe something rare or mythical, as the substance is not true milk.
- He asked for pigeon's milk as a joke, meaning something impossible to obtain. (A humorous reference to an unattainable item.)
Additional Notes
- Scientific context: "pigeon's milk" is produced by the shedding of cells lining the crop of pigeons and doves (family Columbidae). It is high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates, resembling mammalian colostrum in function.