Dove

Dove
source
Name	Dove
Taxon	Columbidae
Authority	Leach, 1820

Dove. Doves are stout-bodied birds belonging to the family Columbidae, which they share with pigeons. They are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the Australasian and Indomalayan regions, and are characterized by their small heads, short legs, and cooing calls. These birds have held significant symbolic meaning across numerous cultures and are also a source of food and sport.

Description and characteristics

Doves are generally smaller and more slender than their close relatives, the rock pigeons, though the distinction is not taxonomically strict. They possess compact bodies with short necks and small, slender bills that are often soft at the tip. Their plumage is typically soft and dense, exhibiting colors ranging from muted grays and browns, as seen in the mourning dove, to vibrant iridescent greens and pinks in species like the Nicobar pigeon. A key anatomical feature is the production of crop milk, a nutrient-rich secretion from the lining of the crop of both sexes, used to feed their young, or squab. Their flight is characteristically strong and direct, powered by long, pointed wings, and they are capable of rapid take-offs to escape predators such as the peregrine falcon.

Habitat and distribution

Members of the Columbidae family inhabit a remarkably wide range of ecosystems across every continent except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable, thriving in environments from dense tropical rainforests, like those in the Amazon Basin, to arid deserts, such as those in the Southwestern United States, and even within major urban areas globally. The rock dove is particularly synonymous with cities like London, New York City, and Rome. While many species, including the common wood pigeon, are largely sedentary, some undertake notable migrations; the passenger pigeon, now extinct, once formed immense flocks across North America. Island endemism is high, with unique species evolving in locations like the Galápagos Islands and New Caledonia.

Behavior and ecology

Doves are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds and grains, though many species also consume fruits, berries, and occasionally insects. They often forage on the ground in flocks, a behavior that makes them vulnerable to predators including the Cooper's hawk and domestic cats. Their vocalizations are centered on distinctive cooing sounds used for courtship and territorial defense. Most species are monogamous, with pairs engaging in mutual preening and elaborate flight displays. Nests are typically simple, flimsy platforms of twigs, often built in trees, on building ledges, or on the ground. Both parents share incubation duties and care for the altricial young, feeding them crop milk for the first few days—a trait shared only with flamingos and some penguins.

Relationship with humans

Doves have a profound and multifaceted relationship with human societies. They are powerful symbols of peace, love, and the Holy Spirit in Christianity, often depicted in art from the Renaissance period. The Biblical story of Noah features a dove returning with an olive branch. Historically, they have been used as messengers in pigeon post systems, notably during the Siege of Paris and both World War I and World War II. As a food source, squab has been considered a delicacy since ancient Egypt and is featured in cuisines from France to China. Some species are popular in the pet trade, while others, like the mourning dove, are among the most heavily hunted game birds in North America. Conversely, introduced species like the Eurasian collared dove can become agricultural pests.

Species and classification

The family Columbidae is divided into several subfamilies, with doves distributed across groups like the Columbinae (typical pigeons and doves) and the Treroninae (fruit doves). Well-known genera include *Streptopelia* (collared doves), *Zenaida* (mourning doves), and *Columba* (wood pigeons). The dodo, a giant, flightless relative from Mauritius, is a famous example of recent extinction due to human activity. Other extinct species include the passenger pigeon of North America and the Liverpool pigeon. Notable living species range from the widespread Eurasian collared dove and the diamond dove of Australia to the brilliantly colored pink pigeon, a critically endangered species endemic to Mauritius. Taxonomic work continues, with organizations like the International Ornithologists' Union maintaining updated classifications.

Category:Columbidae Category:Birds by common name