Pigeons

Alternate meaings include River Dove, Dove (crater), and Dove (soap)

Pigeons and Doves

Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae

Genera

Subfamily Columbinae
Columba
Nesoenas
Streptopelia
Macropygia
Reinwardtoena
Turacoena
Turtur
Oena
Chalcophaps
Henicophaps
Phaps
Ocyphaps
Geophaps
Petrophassa
Geopelia
Leucosarcia
Zenaida
Ectopistes (extinct)
Columbina
Claravis
Metropelia
Scardafella
Uropelia
Leptotila
Geotrygon
Starnoenas
Caloenas
Gallicolumba
Trugon
Microgoura (extinct?)

Subfamily Otidiphabinae
Otidiphaps

Subfamily Gourinae
Goura

Subfamily Didunculinae
Didunculus

Subfamily Treroninae
Phapitreron
Treron
Ptilinopus
Drepanoptila
Alectroenas
Ducula
Lopholaimus
Hemiphaga
Cryptophaps
Gymnophaps

The doves are the 308 species of near passerine birds in the order Columbiformes, hence the adjective columbine refers to something being dove-like. The terms dove and pigeon are used interchangeably, although smaller species are more likely to be called doves.

The species commonly referred to just as the "pigeon" is the feral Rock Dove.

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds 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. Unlike most other birds, (but see flamingo), the doves and pigeons produce "crop milk", which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop. Both sexes produce this highly nutritious substance to feed to the young.

This family occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones. It is related to the extinct dodos.

The young doves and pigeons are called 'squabs'. A person who keeps pigeons is called a 'pigeon fancier'.

Contents

1 Symbolism

2 Classification & species list

2.1 Subfamily Columbinae - typical pigeons & doves
2.2 Subfamily Otidiphabinae - pheasant pigeon
2.3 Subfamily Gourinae - crowned pigeons
2.4 Subfamily Didunculinae - tooth-billed pigeon
2.5 Subfamily Treroninae - green & fruit doves

3 See also

Symbolism

White doves are a traditional symbol of love and peace. A dove was supposed to have been released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back carrying an olive branch, telling Noah that, somewhere, there was land. A dove with an olive branch has since then come to symbolize peace. In Christian iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.

Doves or other birds are often released at weddings. It should be noted that these birds, unless they are trained homing pigeons, cannot survive in the wild and will either starve to death or be easy prey for predators.

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

Classification & species list

ORDER COLUMBIFORMES
- Family Raphidae dodos
- Family Columbidae

The family is usually divided into five subfamilies, as follows; genus order here follows Handbook of the Birds of the World (Lynx, 1997):

Subfamily Columbinae - typical pigeons & doves

Genus Columba Typical pigeons

Rock Dove or feral pigeon, Columba livia
Stock Dove Columba oenas
Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz
Bolle's Pigeon Columba bollii
Laurel Pigeon Columba junoniae
White-crowned Pigeon Columba leucocephala
Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Hill Pigeon, Columba rupestris
Snow Pigeon, Columba leuconota
Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea
White-collared Pigeon, Columba albitorques
Pale-backed Pigeon, Columba eversmanni
Somali Pigeon, Columba oliviae
Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
Afep Pigeon, Columba unicincta
African Olive Pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Cameroon Olive Pigeon, Columba sjostedti
Sao Tome Olive Pigeon, Columba thomensis
Comoro Olive Pigeon, Columba polleni
Speckled Woodpigeon, Columba hodgsonii
White-naped Pigeon, Columba albinucha
Ashy Woodpigeon, Columba pulchricollis
Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Columba elphinstonii
Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Columba torringtoni
Pale-capped Pigeon, Columba punicea
Silvery Pigeon, Columba argentina
Andaman Woodpigeon, Columba palumboides
Japanese Woodpigeon, Columba janthina
Metallic Pigeon or White-throated Pigeon, Columba vitiensis
White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucomela
Yellow-legged Pigeon, Columba pallidiceps
White-crowned Pigeon, Columba leucocephala
Scaly-naped Pigeon, Columba squamosa
Scaled Pigeon, Columba speciosa
Picazuro Pigeon, Columba picazuro
Bare-eyed Pigeon, Columba corensis
Spot-winged Pigeon, Columba maculosa
Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata
Chilean Pigeon, Columba araucana
Ring-tailed Pigeon, Columba caribaea
Pale-vented Pigeon, Columba cayennensis
Red-billed Pigeon, Columba flavirostris
Peruvian Pigeon, Columba oenops
Plain Pigeon, Columba inornata
Plumbeous Pigeon, Columba plumbea
Ruddy Pigeon, Columba subvinacea
Short-billed Pigeon, Columba nigrirostris
Dusky Pigeon, Columba goodsoni
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba delegorguei
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba malherbii
African Lemon-dove, Columba larvata
Sao Tome Lemon-dove, Columba simplex

Genus Nesoenas

Pink Pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri

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Poland-Krakow-Pigeons.jpg

Feral Pigeons in Krakow, Poland

Genus Streptopelia

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Barbary Dove Streptopelia risoria (domesticated; taxonomic status doubtful)
African Collared Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Dusky Turtle Dove, Streptopelia lugens
Adamawa Turtle Dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
Island Collared Dove, Streptopelia bitorquata
White-winged Collared Dove, Streptopelia reichenowi
African Mourning Dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove, Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous Dove, Streptopelia vinacea
Red Turtle Dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
Madagascar Turtle Dove, Streptopelia picturata

Genus Macropygia

Barred Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia unchall
Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia amboinensis
Brown Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia phasianella
Dusky Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia magna
Andaman Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia rufipennis
Philippine Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia tenuirostris
Ruddy Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia emiliana
Black-billed Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia nigrirostris
Mackinlay's Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia mackinlayi
Little Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia ruficeps

Genus Reinwardtoena

Great Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena reinwardtii
Pied Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena browni
Crested Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena crassirostris

Genus Turacoena

White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Turacoena manadensis
Black Cuckoo-dove, Turacoena modesta

Genus Turtur

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur chalcospilos
Black-billed Wood Dove, Turtur abyssinicus
Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove, Turtur tympanistria
Blue-headed Wood Dove, Turtur brehmeri

Genus Oena

Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis

Genus Chalcophaps

Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica
Stephan's Dove, Chalcophaps stephani

Genus Henicophaps

New Guinea Bronzewing, Henicophaps albifrons
New Britain Bronzewing, Henicophaps foersteri

Genus Phaps, bronzewing pigeons

Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera
Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans
Flock Bronzewing, Phaps histrionica

Genus Ocyphaps

Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes

Genus Geophaps

Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera
Squatter Pigeon, Geophaps scripta
Partridge Pigeon, Geophaps smithii

Genus Petrophassa, rock pigeons

Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Petrophassa rufipennis
White-quilled Rock Pigeon, Petrophassa albipennis

Genus Geopelia

Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata
Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata
Peaceful Dove, Geopelia placida
Barred Dove, Geopelia maugei
Bar-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis

Genus Leucosarcia

Wonga Pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca

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NestlingQuailAndMotherQuailCropped.jpg

Nestlings and mother Mourning Dove

Genus Zenaida

Socorro Dove, Zenaida graysoni
Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata
Zenaida Dove, Zenaida aurita
Galapagos Dove, Zenaida galapagoensis
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
Pacific Dove, Zenaida meloda
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura

Genus Ectopistes

Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius (extinct)

Genus Columbina Ground Doves

Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina
Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Columbina minuta
Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Columbina buckleyi
Ruddy Ground Dove, Columbina talpacoti
Picui Dove, Columbina picui
Croaking Ground Dove, Columbina cruziana
Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Columbina cyanopis

Genus Claravis

Blue Ground Dove, Claravis pretiosa
Purple-winged Ground Dove, Claravis godefrida
Maroon-chested Ground Dove, Claravis mondetoura

Genus Metropelia

Bare-faced Ground Dove, Metriopelia ceciliae
Moreno's Ground Dove, Metriopelia morenoi
Black-winged Ground Dove, Metriopelia melanoptera
Golden-spotted Ground Dove, Metriopelia aymara

Genus Scardafella

Inca Dove, Scardafella inca
Scaled Dove, Scardafella squammata

Genus Uropelia

Long-tailed Ground Dove, Uropelia campestris

Genus Leptotila

White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi
White-faced Dove, Leptotila megalura
Grey-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla
Grey-headed Dove, Leptotila plumbeiceps
Pallid Dove, Leptotila pallida
Brown-backed Dove, Leptotila battyi
Grenada Dove, Leptotila wellsi
Caribbean Dove, Leptotila jamaicensis
Grey-chested Dove, Leptotila cassini
Ochre-bellied Dove, Leptotila ochraceiventris
Tolima Dove, Leptotila conoveri

Genus Geotrygon, quail-doves

Purplish-backed Quail-dove, Geotrygon lawrencii
Veracruz Quail-dove, Geotrygon carrikeri
Costa Rica Quail-dove, Geotrygon costaricensis
Russet-crowned Quail-dove, Geotrygon goldmani
Sapphire Quail-dove, Geotrygon saphirina
Grey-headed Quail-dove, Geotrygon caniceps
Crested Quail-dove, Geotrygon versicolor
Rufous-breasted Quail-dove, Geotrygon chiriquensis
Olive-backed Quail-dove, Geotrygon veraguensis
White-faced Quail-dove, Geotrygon albifacies
Lined Quail-dove, Geotrygon linearis
White-throated Quail-dove, Geotrygon frenata
Key West Quail-dove, Geotrygon chrysia
Bridled Quail-dove, Geotrygon mystacea
Violaceous Quail-dove, Geotrygon violacea
Ruddy Quail-dove, Geotrygon montana

Genus Starnoenas

Blue-headed Quail Dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala

Genus Caloenas

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Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica).

Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica

Genus Gallicolumba

Luzon Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba luzonica
Mindanao Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba criniger
Mindoro Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba platenae
Negros Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba keayi
Sulu Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba menagei
Cinnamon Ground Dove, Gallicolumba rufigula
Sulawesi Ground Dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata
White-bibbed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba jobiensis
Caroline Ground Dove, Gallicolumba kubaryi
Polynesian Ground Dove, Gallicolumba erythroptera
White-throated Ground Dove, Gallicolumba xanthonura
Friendly Ground Dove, Gallicolumba stairi
Santa Cruz Ground Dove, Gallicolumba sanctaecrucis
Thick-billed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba salamonis
Marquesas Ground Dove, Gallicolumba rubescens
Bronze Ground Dove, Gallicolumba beccarii
Palau Ground Dove, Gallicolumba canifrons
Wetar Ground Dove, Gallicolumba hoedtii
Norfolk Island Ground Dove, Gallicolumba norfolciensis (extinct)

Genus Trugon

Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Trugon terrestris

Genus Microgoura

Choiseul Pigeon, Microgoura meeki (probably extinct)

Subfamily Otidiphabinae - pheasant pigeon

Genus Otidiphaps

Pheasant Pigeon, Otidiphaps nobilis

Subfamily Gourinae - crowned pigeons

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Victoria.crowned.pigeon.750pix.jpg

Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria)

Genus Goura crowned pigeons

Western Crowned Pigeon, Goura cristata
Southern Crowned Pigeon, Goura scheepmakeri
Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Goura victoria

Subfamily Didunculinae - tooth-billed pigeon

Genus Didunculus

Tooth-billed Pigeon, Didunculus strigirostris

Subfamily Treroninae - green & fruit doves

Genus Phapitreron

White-eared Brown Dove, Phapitreron leucotis
Amethyst Brown Dove, Phapitreron amethystina
Dark-eared Brown Dove, Phapitreron cinereiceps

Genus Treron green pigeons

Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon, Treron fulvicollis
Little Green Pigeon, Treron olax
Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Treron vernans
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Treron bicincta
Pompadour Green Pigeon, Treron pompadora
Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Treron curvirostra
Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Treron griseicauda
Sumba Green Pigeon, Treron teysmannii
Flores Green Pigeon, Treron floris
Timor Green Pigeon, Treron psittacea
Large Green Pigeon, Treron capellei
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
Bruce's Green Pigeon, Treron waalia
Madagascar Green Pigeon, Treron australis
African Green Pigeon, Treron calva
Pemba Green Pigeon, Treron pembaensis
Sao Tome Green Pigeon, Treron sanctithomae
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Treron apicauda
Sumatran Green Pigeon, Treron oxyura
Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, Treron seimundi
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Treron sphenura
White-bellied Green Pigeon, Treron sieboldii
Whistling Green Pigeon, Treron formosae

Genus Ptilinopus, fruit doves

Black-backed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus cinctus
Black-banded Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus alligator
Red-naped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus dohertyi
Pink-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyreus
Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus marchei
Cream-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus merrilli
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus occipitalis
Red-eared Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus fischeri
Jambu Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus jambu
Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus subgularis
Black-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus leclancheri
Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus bernsteinii
Wompoo Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus magnificus
Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perlatus
Ornate Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus ornatus
Tanna Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus tannensis
Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus aurantiifrons
Wallace's Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus wallacii
Superb Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus superbus
Many-coloured Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perousii
Purple-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyraceus
Palau Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus pelewensis
Rarotonga Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus rarotongensis
Mariana Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus roseicapilla
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus regina
Silver-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus richardsii
Grey-green Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus purpuratus
Makatea Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus chalcurus
Atoll Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus coralensis
Red-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus greyii
Rapa Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus huttoni
White-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii
Red-moustached Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus mercierii
Henderson Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus insularis
Coroneted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus coronulatus
Beautiful Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus pulchellus
Blue-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus monacha
White-bibbed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus rivoli
Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus solomonensis
Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus viridis
White-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus eugeniae
Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus iozonus
Knob-billed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus insolitus
Grey-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus hyogaster
Carunculated Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus granulifrons
Black-naped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus melanospila
Dwarf Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus nanus
Negros Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus arcanus
Orange Dove, Ptilinopus victor
Golden Dove, Ptilinopus luteovirens
Whistling Dove, Ptilinopus layardi

Genus Drepanoptila

Cloven-feathered Dove, Drepanoptila holosericea

Genus Alectroenas blue pigeons

Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas madagascariensis
Comoro Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas sganzini
Seychelles Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas pulcherrima

Genus Ducula imperial pigeons

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Imperial.pigeon.750pix.jpg

Chestnut-naped Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina). Other names for this bird are Celebes Imperial Pigeon, Celebes Green Imperial Pigeon and Green Imperial Pigeon.