Quick Answer
Dove and pigeon are not the same. While they are closely related species in the same family of birds, Columbidae, there are some key differences between doves and pigeons:
- Doves tend to be smaller and slimmer than pigeons, with longer tails and legs.
- Doves are generally lighter in color than pigeons, often being pale gray or whitish.
- Doves are symbols of peace, love and harmony. Pigeons do not have the same cultural symbolism.
- Doves eat seeds and fruit. Pigeons have a more varied diet including seeds, fruit, and garbage.
- Doves are monogamous, mating for life. Pigeons are more likely to mate with multiple partners.
Taxonomy
Doves and pigeons belong to the same family of birds, Columbidae. This family includes around 310 species of doves and pigeons. Here is how dove and pigeon species are classified:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genera: Columba (pigeons), Zenaida (doves)
While they are in the same family, doves and pigeons belong to different genera. The genus Columba contains the typical pigeons and rock doves. The genus Zenaida contains mourning doves and other New World doves.
Differences in Physical Appearance
While there is variation within each group, doves tend to differ from pigeons in their physical appearance in a few noticeable ways:
Size: Doves are generally smaller and slimmer than pigeons. A mourning dove may reach 12 inches in length, while a rock pigeon is typically over 12 inches long.
Shape: Doves tend to have longer tails and legs proportional to their bodies compared to pigeons. Doves have a streamlined shape built for agile flight.
Color: Doves are lighter in color than pigeons, usually having pale gray, tan or white plumage. Pigeons exhibit more variation in color but are often gray, black, brown or white with iridescent feathers.
Markings: Many doves lack major markings on their plumage besides color variation. Pigeons frequently have two dark wing bars on the wings and iridescent neck feathers.
| Trait | Doves | Pigeons |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Shape | Long tail and legs | Proportionally shorter tail and legs |
| Color | Pale grays, tans, white | Gray, black, brown, iridescent |
| Markings | Minimal | Dark wing bars, iridescent neck |
Behavioral Differences
In addition to physical differences, doves and pigeons behave somewhat differently in the wild:
Diet: Doves primarily eat seeds, fruits, and plants. Pigeons have a more varied diet including seeds, fruit, insects, and even garbage.
Flight: Doves are lighter, more agile fliers than pigeons. Doves take off rapidly and fly low with fast wing beats. Pigeons have slower wing beats and take off with more effort.
Movement: Doves walk gracefully, often bobbing their heads. Pigeons have a more clumsy, lumbering gait.
Mating: Doves form monogamous pair bonds and mate for life. Pigeons are less loyal and will mate with multiple partners.
| Behavior | Doves | Pigeons |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Seeds, fruits | Seeds, fruits, insects, garbage |
| Flight | Rapid, agile, low flight | Slower, more laborious flight |
| Movement | Graceful walking, head bobbing | Clumsy, lumbering gait |
| Mating | Monogamous pairs | Multiple mates |
Symbolic Differences
Culturally, doves and pigeons have very different symbolic meanings:
Doves are universal symbols of peace, love, fidelity and hope. White doves are iconic symbols of innocence, beauty and pacifism. Doves appear in many myths, legends and religious texts as messengers, divine spirits and connections to the souls of the deceased.
Pigeons do not carry the same symbolic meaning. Pigeons have a reputation as pests that flock in urban areas feeding on trash and waste. They lack the pure symbolism of doves, though carrier pigeons have been used to convey messages historically during wartimes.
So while doves represent positive purity, pigeons are seen as commonplace urban birds. The dove’s significance derives from its gentle traits and white color, while the pigeon simply does not share these physical and behavioral qualities that lead to symbolic meaning.
Major Species
Some of the most common and widespread dove and pigeon species include:
Doves
Mourning Dove: Very common across North America with its recognizable cooing call. Light grayish-brown plumage with black spots on wings.
Rock Dove: The classic wild ancestor of domesticated pigeons. Blue-gray with two dark wing bars. Lives on rocky cliffs and crevices.
Band-Tailed Pigeon: Large Pacific Coast pigeon with a long forked tail and white crescent on the neck. Purplish-gray iridescence.
Passenger Pigeon: Once the most abundant bird in North America, passenger pigeons went extinct in 1914 due to hunting and habitat loss.
Common Wood Pigeon: Abundant across Europe and parts of Asia. Pale gray with green and white markings on the neck and wings.
Conclusion
While dove and pigeon species share a close evolutionary lineage and have many similarities, they differ significantly in their physical appearance, behavior, symbolic meaning and characteristics. Doves tend to be smaller and lighter, exhibit different flight and movement patterns, and carry cultural symbolism that pigeons do not. These distinctions help highlight why ornithologists classify doves and pigeons as separate types of Columbidae birds. So while they are closely related, doves are not the same as pigeons.
