Pigeons and Doves

Columbidae

Special Segments Butterflies of North America Conifers of North America Eastern Birds List of N.A. Insects Home Eastern Wildflowers General Topics Natural History Ecology Family Environment Evolution Home Education Home Conservation Geophysics Paleontology Commercial Organizations

A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

Return to Eastern Birds

The pigeons and doves (Family Columbidae) are a large, worldwide group of birds. The species are typically round and chunky with short, stubby feet. Although pigeons and doves spend some of their time in trees, ledges, and on telephone wires, they are more commonly seen walking along the ground with a characteristic jerky movement of the head moving backward and forward. The species are primarily vegetarians eating seeds and some fruit. There are approximately 310 species worldwide, 11 of which live in Canada and the United States.

Rock Dove (Pigeon)

Columba livia

White-crowned Pigeon

Columba leucocephala

Ringed Turtle Dove

Streptopelia risoria

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica