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The
doves are the 308 species of near passerine birds in the
order Columbiformes, hence the adjective columbine refers
to something being dove-like. The terms dove and pigeon
are used interchangeably, although smaller species are
more likely to be called doves. The species commonly referred
to just as the "pigeon" is the feral Rock Dove.
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks
and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. The poorly
constructed nests are made of sticks, and the two white
eggs are incubated by both sexes. Doves feed on seeds,
fruit and other soft plantstuffs. Unlike most other birds,
(but see flamingo), the doves and pigeons produce "crop
milk", which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled
cells from the lining of the crop. Both sexes produce
this highly nutritious substance to feed to the young.
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The
doves are the 308 species of near passerine birds in the
order Columbiformes, hence the adjective columbine refers
to something being dove-like. The terms dove and pigeon
are used interchangeably, although smaller species are
more likely to be called doves. The species commonly referred
to just as the "pigeon" is the feral Rock Dove.
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks
and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. The poorly
constructed nests are made of sticks, and the two white
eggs are incubated by both sexes. Doves feed on seeds,
fruit and other soft plantstuffs. Unlike most other birds,
(but see flamingo), the doves and pigeons produce "crop
milk", which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled
cells from the lining of the crop. Both sexes produce
this highly nutritious substance to feed to the young.
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