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Pigeons and Doves |
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Pigeons and Doves are a very distinct groups of birds with many unique features of the biology. One of their most interesting aspects is the presence of the 'crop', a storage sac in the throat. This allows for digestion of quickly gulped food, and in the breeding season produces a substance known as 'pigeon milk' of which both the parents use to feed the young. a Pied Imperial Pigeon with nest material
Pigeons are often observed in their mating rituals, bowing and cooing to each other. Their pleasant low coos and rumbles are familiar. The nests are usually fairly insubstantial. Australia has at least 20 species recorded in it's shores, with occasional vagrants adding to the list. There are anther three introduced species that are common in towns. Many people think they are split into two different groups. However, there is no true scientific technical difference between 'pigeons' and 'doves'. Generally, the smaller pigeons often get called 'doves', but this is fairly inconsistent. They can generally be split into two different groups, but this is based more on their ecology and diet. There are those pigeons that feed on seeds, and those that feed on fruit.
Those species that feed on seeds tend to live in more open, drier country, and these include some of the better known and more commonly seen pigeons. They are often seen in cities and towns waddling around on the ground, or perched on wires in farmlands and open country. Their relatively dry diet of seeds means they need to drink regularly and thus can be seen at waterholes. Pigeons can drink like no other bird; they can suck continuously, without the need to tilt their head back and thus thy can drink quickly and efficiently.  Peaceful Doves
The fruit eaters tend to live in the wetter forests, and are lesser known. However, there are many different species and they can be very attractively coloured. However, they tend to live high in the canopy and can be difficult to spot. a rainforest Fruit Pigeon |
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