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Pigeons, Doves

The Columbidae family, encompassing all doves and pigeons, is the sole group within the Columbiformes order. These birds have stout bodies, short necks, and short, slender bills, with variations that include fleshy ceres in some species. Dove and pigeon species, which are found globally with the most diversity in the Indomalayan and Australasian realms, feed mainly on seeds, fruits, and plants. The family consists of 344 species across 50 genera, including 13 extinct species. While smaller species are often termed "doves" and larger ones "pigeons" in English, this distinction isn't consistent and doesn't apply in other languages. Familiar pigeons, like the widespread domestic pigeon, are known for nesting in simple structures and laying mostly one or two white eggs. Both parent birds care for the young, known as squabs, which fledge between 25 and 32 days. Pigeons and doves are unique among birds for producing crop milk to feed their young. The names "pigeon" and "dove" have distinct etymologies and have varied in common use historically. The Columbiformes, closely related to sandgrouses and mesites, are believed to have diversified rapidly after the Cretaceous. While taxonomic classifications, including five subfamilies, are still under debate due to genetic analysis discrepancies, it's suggested that pigeons originated in the Australasian region. Doves and pigeons vary greatly in size and appearance, inhabit different environments worldwide, and while many benefit from human presence, others decline or become extinct, such as the dodo and the passenger pigeon, due to habitat loss, predation, and hunting. Conservation efforts include laws, habitat protection, and breeding programs. Historically, pigeons have been used in wars as message carriers and are still commemorated for their service. Domestic species like the rock dove have been bred for various purposes, including racing and ornamental traits. In culture and religion, doves often symbolize love, peace, and the Holy Spirit, and are featured in Christianity, Islam, and portrayed as sacred in ancient mythology. They are also hunted and raised for food in many cultures around the world.

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A photo of a African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea)

African Collared Dove

Streptopelia roseogrisea

Atoll Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus coralensis

Barking Imperial Pigeon

Ducula latrans

Bronze Ground Dove

Pampusana beccarii

Chatham Pigeon

Hemiphaga chathamensis

Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon

Ducula brenchleyi

Claret-breasted Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus viridis

Cloven-feathered Dove

Drepanoptila holosericea
A photo of a Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina) , male

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Crested Cuckoo-Dove

Reinwardtoena crassirostris

Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus porphyraceus

Golden Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus luteovirens

Goliath Imperial Pigeon

Ducula goliath

Grey-green Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus purpuratus

Henderson Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus insularis

Island Imperial Pigeon

Ducula pistrinaria

Kosrae Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus hernsheimi

Lilac-crowned Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus rarotongensis

MacKinlay's Cuckoo-Dove

Macropygia mackinlayi

Makatea Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus chalcurus

Many-colored Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus perousii

Mariana Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus roseicapilla

Marquesan Ground Dove

Pampusana rubescens

Marquesan Imperial Pigeon

Ducula galeata

Metallic Pigeon

Columba vitiensis

Micronesian Imperial Pigeon

Ducula oceanica
A photo of a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

New Zealand Pigeon

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
A photo of a Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

Nicobar Pigeon

Caloenas nicobarica

Norfolk Ground Dove

Pampusana norfolkensis

Orange Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus victor
A photo of a Pacific Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps longirostris)

Pacific Emerald Dove

Chalcophaps longirostris

Pacific Imperial Pigeon

Ducula pacifica

Palau Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus pelewensis

Palau Ground Dove

Pampusana canifrons

Pale Mountain Pigeon

Gymnophaps solomonensis

Philippine Collared Dove

Streptopelia dusumieri

Plain Pigeon

Patagioenas inornata

Polynesian Ground Dove

Pampusana erythroptera

Polynesian Imperial Pigeon

Ducula aurorae

Purple-capped Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus ponapensis

Raiatea Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus chrysogaster

Rapa Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus huttoni

Red-bellied Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus greyi

Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon

Ducula rubricera
A photo of a Rock Dove (Columba livia)

Rock Dove

Columba livia
A photo of a Rose-crowned Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus regina)

Rose-crowned Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus regina

Santa Cruz Ground Dove

Pampusana sanctaecrucis
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