Doves are pigeons (part of the Columbidae family); in fact, pigeon and dove are synonymous, and there are over 309 pigeon species in the world. They live in almost every place on earth except for extremely cold or extremely dry climates. White doves are an international symbol of peace and continue to be a large part of popular culture in poetry, music and art. Whether their images are positive or negative, their presence always makes a statement.
Doves are monogamous and mate for life. When one outlives another, it takes them quite a long time to find another mate. Females lay two eggs at a time, incubating them at night, while the male does so during the day. Incubation lasts from 14 to 19 days, and then the young are cared for in a separate nest for 12 to 18 days before letting them fly off on their own. These birds are unique because they suck liquids instead of sip or swallow, like other birds. Dove (or pigeon) parents feed their young “pigeon’s milk,” which they can get by poking their bill down their parent’s throat.
Because doves have side-mounted eyes and monocular (rather than binocular) vision, they bob their heads to gain depth of perception. Doves have plump bodies, matched with quite a small head. Their long wings and strong muscles make them powerful fliers. These extremely intelligent birds are also the only non-mammal that passed the ‘mirror test’ and can recognize their reflection as their own. They can also recognize all 26 letters in the English alphabet.
Fun Dove Facts
-Doves were first domesticated in 4500 BC during the Mesopotamia era.
-Feral pigeons were used as effective messengers during both World Wars. They saved thousands of soldiers by carrying messages across enemy lines.
References
Encyclopedia Britannica
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