Columbidae
is a bird family consisting of pigeons and doves. It is the only family in the
order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks, and short
slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily feed on
seeds, fruits, and plants. The family occurs worldwide, but the greatest
variety is in the Indomalayan and Australasian realms.
The family contains 344 sapecies divided into 50 genera. 13 of the species are extinct.
In
English, the smaller species tend to be called "doves" and the larger
ones "pigeons". The distinction is not consistent, however,
and does not exist in most other languages.
There are 35 species recognised in the genus of which 2 are extinct. 2 species are found in Malaysia : Columba livia domestica and Columba argentina.
Wild
rock doves ( Columba livia ) are pale
grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons ( Columba livia domestica ) vary in colour
and pattern.
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