Rock Dove

Rock Dove

[Columba livia]

What can I say about Pigeons? The most identifiable and one of the most common birds known to metropolitan and suburban areas, Pigeons are common in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and were introduced to North America in 1606.
Believe it or not, Pigeons descended from Rock Doves are raised as livestock, and have been for hundreds of years. Pigeon meat is called 'squab' and is still a part of the cuisine of many cultures, often it is considered a delicacy.
Rock Doves are about 13 inches long with a wingspan of about 26 inches. They are pale gray, with a dark gray head, green to purple iridescent neck, and two dark bands across their wings. Their feet and eyes are red. Pigeons also come in many colored variants, including white, brown, and pied (black and white dalmatian coloration).

Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove
[Zenaida macroura]

The Mourning Dove, or the Turtledove, is common throughout North America. A group of them is called a Pitying of Turtledoves. Their call is described as plaintive, and it does sound slightly sad.
Mourning Doves are considered to be the closest related dove to Passenger Pigeons, a bird that as of 1914 is an extinct species.
Mourning Doves are about 13 inches long with a wingspan of about 18 inches. They have the distinct round head and small beak that all doves share, and a long, thin tail. They are gray with a slight purplish-pink hue on the head and breast. They have black spots on their wings, with a tell-tale black mark on their cheek below their eyes. Males and Females look alike.