Columbidae

A dove can be any of a large number of species of near passerine birds of the order Columbiformes. The terms Dove and Pigeon are used interchangeably, although smaller species are more likely to be called doves.

These birds are stout-bodied with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

The poorly constructed nests are made of sticks, and the two white eggs are incubated by both sexes.

Doves feed on seeds, fruit and other soft plantstuffs.

This family occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones.

Species include:

Rock dove Columba livia (feral pigeon)
Stock dove Columba oenas
Trocaz pigeon Columba trocaz
Bolle’s pigeon Columba bollii
Laurel pigeon Columba junoniae
Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis
White-crowned pigeon Columba leucocephala
Red-billed pigeon Columba flavirostris
Band-tailed pigeon Columba fasciata
Ringed turtle dove Streptopelia risoria
Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Turtle dove Streptopelia risoria
Oriental turtle dove Streptopelia orientalis
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Passenger pigeon Ectopistes migratorius (extinct)

Symbolism

White doves are a traditional symbol of love and peace. A dove was supposed to have been the first creature released by Noah after the flood in order to find land.

In politics the name "dove" is sometimes applied to figures who favour peaceful solutions to problems as opposed to "hawks" who favour aggressive action.

Pigeons in cities

Pigeons are common and sometimes quite plentiful in many cities. Some city squares are famous for them, for example:

In some cities feeding them is forbidden because of the pollution they cause and the danger that they spread diseases. Some fences and edges of buildings are equipped with special vertical wires etc. to avoid pigeons staying there.