Pigeons and doves: how closely are they related? And are they related to ortolans? To quails?
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Sandman
ANSWERS: 1
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Pigeons and doves are the same thing. There are many species. The "city pigeon" is called the Rock Pigeon, Columba livia. Homing Pigeons are domesticated breeds of the same species that have been selected for their homing ability. Species that are larger are more often called "pigeons", and those that are smaller are more often called "doves", but this is not consistent. In common language, dove often means any snow white pigeon of any species, and pigeon means anything that's not pure white, but again, usage is not consistent. BTW, "squab" is the name for the young of pigeons/doves of any species that are still in the nest (less than a month old). Quail aren't at all related to pigeons. They are closely related to pheasant, and less closely to chickens. Ortolan Buntings are not at all related to either pigeons/doves or quail. They are in a third family.
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