Doves are a commonly seen bird that symbolize peace, love and faith. They are recognized by most people by their small, rounded bodies, soft gray feathers, and cooing vocalizations. However, doves actually have another name that is not as well known – pigeons. Doves and pigeons belong to the same family of birds, Columbidae, and are even of the same genus, Columba. The names “dove” and “pigeon” are somewhat interchangeable and can refer to the same species of bird.
Doves vs. Pigeons
So what is the difference between doves and pigeons? There are a few distinguishing features:
Size
Pigeons are generally a bit larger than doves. Doves are generally smaller, with sleeker bodies and longer tails.
Coloration
The majority of doves are light gray or cream colored with black spots on the wings. Pigeons exhibit more variation in coloration including white, gray, brown and black.
Behavior
Doves are thought of as shy and elusive, symbols of peace. Pigeons are more associated with urban areas and considered pests by some.
Tail feathers
Doves’ tails are generally longer and tapered at the ends, while pigeons have shorter, square-shaped tails.
Voice
Doves make soft, mournful cooing sounds, while pigeons produce louder, repetitive coos.
Examples of Doves/Pigeons
Here are some common species that are referred to interchangeably as doves or pigeons:
Rock Dove/Rock Pigeon
The rock dove, scientifically named Columba livia, is the common pigeon found in most cities around the world. They are a light grayish color with two dark wingbars on their wings. Rock doves nest on buildings and window sills. These are the birds people commonly feed in parks that are considered pests by some.
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove, Zenaida macroura, is a light grayish-brown wild dove with black spots on its wings. It is one of the most widespread doves in North America. Its soft cooing can be heard spring through fall. Mourning doves get their name from their mournful vocalizations.
Eurasian Collared Dove
The Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto, is another widespread dove species that occurs in Europe and Asia and has been introduced to North America. It is light gray with black neck markings. It looks very similar to the mourning dove but is slightly larger.
White Dove
White doves are often used symbolically to represent peace or as a ceremonial release. However, they are simply color variants of rock doves that have white plumage. There is no separate or distinct species that is a “white dove.” Feral city pigeons sometimes also appear white if they have genetic mutations that cause albinism.
Scientific Classification
As mentioned before, doves and pigeons belong to the same family Columbidae. This bird family consists of over 300 species of doves and pigeons that can be found worldwide. Here is how doves and pigeons are classified taxonomically:
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Columbiformes |
Family | Columbidae (doves and pigeons) |
Genera | Columba, Zenaida, Streptopelia, and others |
Species | Rock dove, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, etc. |
Doves belong to the same genera as pigeons – they are all Columbiformes. What primarily separates them is minor variations in size, color, behavior, anatomy and voice. But doves and pigeons have very similar DNA, mating habits, digestive systems, clutch sizes and more.
Symbolic and Cultural Significance
Doves are prominent symbols across cultures and history. Here are some of the ways doves are portrayed and used symbolically:
Peace
The most universal symbolic association of doves is with peace. Doves are depicted in political cartoons and war images to represent a desire for peace or the end of a conflict. White doves are released at weddings and other ceremonies to represent hope, new beginnings and an end to strife.
Love
Doves are also used to symbolize love, fertility and procreation. Doves appear in images of weddings and romantic artwork as symbols of affection. Greek Mythology links doves to Aphrodite and love.
Soul/Spirit
In many religions and cultures, the dove is seen as representing the human soul. In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove. Doves can also symbolize communication with the spirit world or the presence of a deity.
Christianity
Besides the Holy Spirit, doves have many symbolic meanings in Christianity. The dove brought an olive branch to Noah after the flood, signalling life would return to the earth. White doves represent innocence, sacrifice, and nonviolence in the stories of baptism of Jesus and the sacrifice of Isaac.
Judaism
In Judaism, doves were used for sacrifices in religious rites and ceremonies. Doves are also of symbolic importance in the story of Noah’s ark in the Hebrew Bible.
Islam
Doves and pigeons are respected and honored in Islamic cultures. The Prophet Muhammad prohibited the harming of doves, as he believed they contributed to the cleanliness of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Hinduism
Hindu mythological stories tell of the dove being a sacred creature and the mount of Kamadeva, the god of love. Doves are also revered for being monogamous and loyal partners.
Messenger
Historically, before modern communication, homing pigeons were used to carry written messages between distant locations. They were swift and reliable carriers, representing a means of communication.
Conclusion
Doves and pigeons are in fact the same family of birds, and the names are often interchangeable. While there are some modest physical differences between them, they share remarkable similarities in genetics, anatomy, mating habits and more. Culturally and symbolically, the dove is most often portrayed as a sign of peace, love, innocence and communication. The dove meaning resonates across cultures and religions throughout human history. So next time you see one of these small gray birds peacefully cooing, remember that you could just as correctly call it a dove as a pigeon.
Fun Facts about Doves/Pigeons
- Pigeons are believed to be one of the most intelligent species of birds.
- Rock doves can live over 10 years in the wild.
- Doves and pigeons share a diet of seeds and fruit.
- They can reach flying speeds up to 75 miles per hour.
- The mourning dove gets its name from its sad-sounding cooing noises.
- Doves are highly monogamous, often mating for life.
- Young doves are called squabs.
- A group of doves is called a “dole.”
- Laughing doves get their name from the chuckling sounds in their calls.
- Some doves are great migrators, traveling thousands of miles.
- White doves can still produce color offspring if they carry recessive genes.
- Nests are simple platforms of sticks, often on ledges or the ground.
- Doves have long been used as messengers due to their ability to orient and return home.
- Picasso’s famous 1949 painting was called “Dove of Peace.”
- A famous magician who incorporated doves into his shows was Harry Houdini.
- Ancient Greeks considered doves sacred to Demeter and Aphrodite.
- Spotted doves have dark plumage with white spots.
- Common urban pigeons are also called rock doves.
- Visitors to Venice will always see pigeons in St. Mark’s Square.
- The mourning dove is the state bird of Kentucky.
- The mountain dove is bright orange and endemic to Hawaii.
- Turtle doves get their name from their stout, rounded body shape.
- Collared doves have a distinct black half collar marking on the neck.
- The spirits of the dead were envisioned as doves in ancient Egypt.
- Laughing doves have a distinctive “ha ha roo” call.