Columbarius

Columbarius is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts, primarily relating to pigeons and their care. In a historical context, a columbarius was often the keeper or trainer of pigeons, particularly in ancient Rome and later medieval Europe. These individuals were responsible for managing dovecotes, breeding pigeons for food and sport, and sometimes for their use in messenger services. The practice of pigeon keeping, or columbary, involved specialized knowledge of pigeon husbandry, including diet, housing, and health.

The term also appears in the scientific classification of certain pigeon species. While not a formal taxonomic rank itself, it is sometimes used informally or in older literature to describe birds belonging to the family Columbidae. This family encompasses a wide variety of doves and pigeons found worldwide.

Furthermore, a columbarium is a structure designed to house the cremated remains of the deceased. These are typically wall niches or compartments where urns or cinerary vessels are placed. While the etymology of columbarium directly relates to the Latin word for dove (columba), suggesting the niches resemble pigeonholes, the modern usage is exclusively funerary and unconnected to live birds. The design of columbaria, with their rows of small, compartmentalized spaces, is what evokes the image of a dovecote.