Doves and Pigeons make up the Columbidae Family. These stout Birds bob as They walk, and are also known for their flimsy stick nests on the edges of buildings. However, Columbidae are excellent parents. Both mother and father offer their chicks rich “crop milk”, a nutritious substance.
The Columbidae Family is divided into two large subfamilies – one for imperial Pigeons and Fruit Doves, and the other for the rest. Typical Pigeons and Doves belong to the grouping of Columbinae. Doves are smaller, more delicate than the larger, more robust Pigeons.
Dove: Forgiveness
Dove’s soft cooing call is often heard at dawn and dusk. Her quiet calls bring people a sense of serenity. Easily tamed, this shy gentle Bird has represented peace in many cultures for millennia.
The Greeks regarded Dove to be a bringer of messages from the Gods. Native Americans regarded this quiet unassuming Bird to be the soul of a lover. For Christians, Dove represented the Holy Spirit.
Through people’s carelessness, many Dove species have gone extinct. One of the greatest tragedies in the natural world is the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon. Once the most numerous species of Birds on the earth, Passenger Pigeon is no more, ruthlessly overhunted by humans. Another major tragedy is the inoffensive Dodo who was killed off by sailors for his meat.
Overcoming her sorrow, Dove still lives among people. Offering hope, She continues to bring serenity and love to them. Only her soft mournful calls remind people of what they have lost. To humans, Dove offers her olive branch of forgiveness as She continues to minister to them.
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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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