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Dove

Pigeons and Doves

Scientific classification

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

Genera

Many: see text.

The doves are the 308 species of near passerine birds in the order Columbiformes. 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 “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.

Species are:

Genus Columba Typical doves

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
Common Woodpigeon, Columba palumbus
Afer 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 Streptopelia

Laughing Dove[?] Streptopelia senegalensis
Eurasian Collared Dove[?] Streptopelia decaocto
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Turtle Dove Streptopelia risoria
Oriental Turtle Dove[?] Streptopelia orientalis
Dusky Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia lugens
Adamawa Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
Island Collared-Dove, Streptopelia bitorquata
African Collared-Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
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 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
American Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura

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 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 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 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 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 Nesoenas

Pink Pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri

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 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

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 Starnoenas

Blue-headed Quail-Dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala

Genus Caloenas

Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica

Genus Trugon

Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon, Trugon terrestris

Genus Otidiphaps

Pheasant Pigeon, Otidiphaps nobilis

Genus Goura crowned pigeons

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

Genus Didunculus

Tooth-billed Pigeon, Didunculus strigirostris

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 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

Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula poliocephala
White-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula forsteni
Mindoro Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula mindorensis
Grey-headed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula radiata
Grey-necked Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula carola
Green Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula aenea
White-eyed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula perspicillata
Blue-tailed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula concinna
Pacific Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula pacifica
Micronesian Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula oceanica
Polynesian Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula aurorae
Nukuhiva Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula galeata
Red-knobbed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula rubricera
Spice Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula myristicivora
Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula rufigaster
Cinnamon-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula basilica
Finsch's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula finschii
Shinning Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula chalconota
Island Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula pistrinaria
Pink-headed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula rosacea
Christmas Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula whartoni
Grey Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula pickeringii
Peale's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula latrans
Chestnut-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula brenchleyi
Vanuatu Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula bakeri
New Caledonian Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula goliath
Pinon's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula pinon
Bismarck Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula melanochroa
Collared Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula mullerii
Zoe's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula zoeae
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula badia
Dark-backed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula lacernulata
Timor Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula cineracea
Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula bicolor
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula spilorrhoa
White Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula luctuosa

Genus Lopholaimus

Topknot Pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus

Genus Hemiphaga

New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Genus Cryptophaps

Sombre Pigeon, Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa

Genus Gymnophaps', mountain pigeons

Papuan Mountain-Pigeon, Gymnophaps albertisii
Long-tailed Mountain-Pigeon, Gymnophaps mada
Pale Mountain-Pigeon Gymnophaps solomonensis

Genus Ectopistes

Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius (extinct)

Bronzewing pigeons

Genus Phaps
- Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera
- Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans
- Flock Bronzewing, Phaps histrionica
Genus Geophaps
- Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera
- Squatter Pigeon, Geophaps scripta
- Partridge Pigeon, Geophaps smithii
Genus Ocyphaps
- Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes
Genus Henicophaps
- New Guinea Bronzewing, Henicophaps albifrons
- New Britain Bronzewing, Henicophaps foersteri

Symbolism

White doves are a traditional symbol of love and peace. A dove was supposed to have been the first creature 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, then, has come to symbolize peace.

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