dove

Dove is a common name for many small- to medium-sized birds in the family Columbidae, part of the order Columbiformes. The term is often used to describe smaller species, while “pigeon” tends to refer to larger ones, though there is no strict scientific boundary between the two. Doves and pigeons are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the tropics and subtropics.

Many well-known doves belong to the genus Columba, such as the rock dove (Columba livia), the wild ancestor of domestic pigeons. Other widely recognized species include the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) and the white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica). Doves typically have soft plumage in shades of gray, brown, or white, and a small head with a short bill. They feed mainly on seeds and grains, though some species eat fruits and insects at times.

Doves are usually monogamous and nest in trees, shrubs, ledges, or other suitable structures. A typical clutch comprises two eggs; both parents often incubate for about two weeks, and the chicks are altricial, receiving crop milk from the parents after hatching and then regurgitated food. Fledgling birds usually leave the nest a couple of weeks after hatching.

Humans have interacted with doves for millennia, including domestication and use as messengers in historical contexts. Today, many species are common in urban and agricultural landscapes, though some face habitat loss and other pressures. Culturally, doves are widely recognized as symbols of peace, innocence, and spirituality in various traditions.