Creature Feature #587: Pigeon

The Pigeon Family contains a versatile range of birds - from some of the rarest in the world to one of the most common. With about 310 extant species, the most easily recognisable is the feral, or rock pigeon. Rock Pigeons are native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia where he is commonly found near the coast. Colonies nest on steep cliffs. He was domesticated several thousand years ago, for meat, pets and the carrying of messages. Some of these pigeons escaped, or were released, and found the urban environment suitable to their requirements. Now, buildings replace the cliffs, and instead of foraging for seeds, he now gorges on bread and other food scraps.

Other species of pigeon include:
Dodo - large and flightless and extinct
Passenger pigeon: the most common bird in North America until it was hunted to extinction.
Victoria Crowned Pigeon: the largest extant pigeon, close relative of the Dodo.
Nicobar Pigeon: another relative of the Dodo. Near Threatened.
Manumea: strange and critically endangered.
Emerald Dove: more of a lilac dove!
Turtle Dove: named for his call, not any resemblance to a reptile.

There is no technical difference between a "pigeon" and a "dove", the two are basically synonyms, although "dove" is generally used to refer to the smaller species.