Doves (Columbidae - Also go to Pigeons)
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The pigeons and doves are some 300 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 Pigeon.
It is related to the extinct dodo. The young doves and pigeons are called "squabs". A person who keeps pigeons is called a "pigeon fancier".
Distribution / Range:
This family occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones.
Description:
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Breeding / Nesting:
The usually flimsy nests are made of sticks, and the two white eggs are incubated by both sexes.Unlike most other birds, (but see flamingo), the doves and pigeons produce "crop 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.
Diet / Feeding:
Doves feed on seeds, fruit and other soft plantstuff.
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