whatilearned
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbidae
TIL that there is no scientific difference between doves and pigeons. In English, the smaller birds are usually called “doves” and the larger ones “pigeons”. However, there is not consistent distinction.
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And the birds most commonly called ‘pigeons’ are, in fact, rock doves
This just further proves the point that pigeons are just working class doves.
No matter what wikipedia says – doves are angelic creatures that fall in love with each other and pigeons are rats with wings that drink liquid trash
This is sort of misleading/confusing.
So there are clearly scientific differences between each species however the words ‘dove’ and ‘pigeon’ are synonymous and are both used to describe the same family of birds; columbidae
Quote from article :
The family contains 344 species divided into 50 genera. Thirteen of the species are extinct.
Doves are white and carry olive branches.
Pigeons are grey and steal your chips
Here’s the thing. You said a “pigeon is a dove.”
Is it in the same family? Yes. No one’s arguing that.
As someone who is a scientist who studies pigeons, I am telling you, specifically, in science, no one calls doves pigeons. If you want to be “specific” like you said, then you shouldn’t either. They’re not the same thing.
[Una Paloma Blanca](https://youtu.be/R36CixkIaIc)
^(George Baker Selection)
I believe that color is a more important indicator than size when referencing a distinction.
I only really call the white ones doves. I’d call anything else a pigeon.
While technically there’s no difference between the two it essentially boils down to:
white pigeon = dove
Any other colour pigeon = pigeon
Doves are imprisoned birds by marrying couples or magicians. When they are freed, they become pigeons.
Doves are white in color
pigeons are not quite as monochromatic
I have always heard that doves cry, but pigeons can’t.