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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.

Regions

A photo of a Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata
A photo of a Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata
A photo of a Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)

Bare-eyed Pigeon

Patagioenas corensis
A photo of a Bare-faced Ground Dove (Metriopelia ceciliae)

Bare-faced Ground Dove

Metriopelia ceciliae
A photo of a Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera)

Black-winged Ground Dove

Metriopelia melanoptera

Blue-eyed Ground Dove

Columbina cyanopis
A photo of a Blue Ground Dove (Claravis pretiosa) , male

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Chilean Pigeon

Patagioenas araucana
A photo of a Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina) , male

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Croaking Ground Dove

Columbina cruziana

Dusky Pigeon

Patagioenas goodsoni
A photo of a Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)

Eared Dove

Zenaida auriculata

Ecuadorian Ground Dove

Columbina buckleyi
A photo of a Galapagos Dove (Zenaida galapagoensis)

Galapagos Dove

Zenaida galapagoensis

Golden-spotted Ground Dove

Metriopelia aymara

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Grey-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Lined Quail-Dove

Zentrygon linearis
A photo of a Long-tailed Ground Dove (Uropelia campestris)

Long-tailed Ground Dove

Uropelia campestris

Maranon Pigeon

Patagioenas oenops

Maroon-chested Ground Dove

Paraclaravis mondetoura

Moreno's Ground Dove

Metriopelia morenoi
A photo of a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Ochre-bellied Dove

Leptotila ochraceiventris

Olive-backed Quail-Dove

Leptotrygon veraguensis
A photo of a Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis)

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Pallid Dove

Leptotila pallida
A photo of a Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro)

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui
A photo of a Plain-breasted Ground Dove (Columbina minuta)

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Purple Quail-Dove

Geotrygon purpurata

Purple-winged Ground Dove

Paraclaravis geoffroyi
A photo of a Rock Dove (Columba livia)

Rock Dove

Columba livia
A photo of a Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) , male

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti
A photo of a Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea)

Ruddy Pigeon

Patagioenas subvinacea
A photo of a Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana) , female

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Russet-crowned Quail-Dove

Zentrygon goldmani

Sapphire Quail-Dove

Geotrygon saphirina
A photo of a Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata)

Scaled Dove

Columbina squammata

Scaled Pigeon

Patagioenas speciosa
A photo of a Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa)

Scaly-naped Pigeon

Patagioenas squamosa

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris
A photo of a Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa)

Spot-winged Pigeon

Patagioenas maculosa
A photo of a Tolima Dove (Leptotila conoveri)

Tolima Dove

Leptotila conoveri

Violaceous Quail-Dove

Geotrygon violacea
A photo of a West Peruvian Dove (Zenaida meloda)

West Peruvian Dove

Zenaida meloda
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