What are the differences between turtledoves and pigeons? Introduction to the physical characteristics of turtledoves and pigeons

Both turtledoves and pigeons are birds and are relatively common, especially pigeons. Many families now raise pigeons. Because turtledoves and pigeons look very similar, many people do not know the difference between turtledoves and pigeons. In fact, there are certain differences in body shape between turtledoves and pigeons. As long as you observe carefully, it is very easy to distinguish the two. Next, I will introduce to you the physical characteristics of turtledoves and pigeons.

What is a turtledove?

The turtle dove is a European and North African bird belonging to the genus Streptopelia, order Columbiformes, class Aves. Body length 28 cm (11 inches). The body is light reddish brown, the head is blue-gray, and the tip of the tail is white. It feeds on the ground, eating large quantities of small seeds and earthworms.

Turtle doves are distributed in most parts of my country. Due to urban development, turtle doves are rarely seen in cities now, and are mostly seen in non-urban areas at low altitudes.

Common species in my country include: fire dove, spotted dove, mountain dove, and artificially bred white dove.

Physical characteristics of turtledove

Turtle dove is a common species in China. The upper body feathers are mainly brown, the head and neck are gray-brown and dyed with wine brown; the forehead and top of the head are gray or blue-gray, and there is a black feather with blue-gray feather edges on each side of the base of the neck, and the feather edges of the shoulder feathers are reddish brown; the upper back is brown, and the lower back to the waist are blue-gray; the tip of the tail is blue-gray, and the central tail feathers are brown; the chin and throat are pink; the lower body is reddish brown. The plumage of males and females is similar. They live in forest areas in mountains, foothills or plains, and mainly gather in small groups at the edge of forests, cultivated land and their vicinity. In autumn and winter, they migrate to the plains and often live in groups with spotted doves. It flies like a dove and often glides. The sound is monotonous and low. Be very vigilant. It feeds on sorghum, wheat seeds, rice, fruits, and sometimes insect larvae. The nest is built on a tree, usually 3 to 7 meters above the ground, made of branches and has a simple structure. The nest is flat and disc-shaped, with an outer diameter of about 30×40 cm and an inner diameter of about 8.0×8.5 cm. Two eggs are laid in each nest. The egg is white, with a diameter of 33×24 mm. The incubation period is about 18 days, and the chick period is about 18 days. The turtledove has a beautiful appearance and is found in large numbers, making it an ornamental game bird.

What is a pigeon?

A common bird. Widely raised all over the world, pigeons are a general term for hundreds of species of birds in the family Columbidae in the order Columbiformes. Columba, scientifically known as Columba, is a genus of the Columbidae family, commonly known as pigeons; it includes various small, medium and large pigeons, including the pigeon we commonly see today, the rock pigeon.

Pigeon's morphological characteristics

The head is broad and flat, the body is large, wide and deep, 53 to 56 cm long from beak to tail tip, the chest circumference is 38 to 40 cm, and the beak is long and slightly curved. The eye ring of adult pigeons is red or flesh-red, while the eye ring of young pigeons is pink. The Lunti pigeon has a long and strong neck, a long and broad back, a long tail with a pure round tip, plump thighs, short tarsus and toes, and there are two types of leg hairs: without leg hairs and with leg hairs. The one without leg hairs is the best, and the leg hairs are red. The colors of its feathers are quite diverse, including white, black, crimson, and two-line gray, with white being the best.