Rapini /broccoli raab and pigeons

I grow "Cima di Rapa" which is a turnip top family species, and yes the Pigeons do have a go at them.   I cover mine till they'r big enough to fend of attack. 

I and going to try some rapini or broccoli raab and wondered if it gets attacked by pigeons like real broccoli; it is not a true brassica and apparently related to turnips,

It is a brassica, B. rapa (like turnips) as opposed to B. oleracea (like cabbages, caulis, kales, broccolis etc.).  It will suffer all the same problems as its close relatives, although since it's in the ground for such a short time it may suffer less heavy infestations of some pests.  Mind you, pigeons will eat almost any greens if they're hungry enough, so I think some netting may be in your future