Pigeons and doves (phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, superclass Tetrapoda, class Aves, order Columbiformes) are birds with a relatively small head, short bill, short neck, stout body and short legs. They mostly eat seeds and/or fruits.
Generally there is no real distinction between "pigeons" and "doves", though sometimes the former is used to refer to bigger ones, and the latter, smaller ones. Some people also use "pigeon" for the more frugivorous ones that forage on trees and bushes, and "dove" for those that forage on the ground.
An interesting fact about pigeons and doves is that they produce crop milk, which is basically a milk-like substance secreted from the lining of the crop, to feed their chicks. The crop is an expanded, muscular pouch near the throat for storing food before digestion.
Here are some of the pigeons and doves that can be seen in Singapore:
The Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) is a very common resident pigeon that can be seen in the forests, gardens and parks. The male is very colourful, with a purplish head, pinkish neck orange breast and green body.
The female is green all over. This species can grow to almost 35cm long, and feeds on small fruits and seeds.
The Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra) is an uncommon resident bird. It lives in the forest, feeding on small fruits and seeds. The male has an obvious pale green skin patch around each eye, reddish purple wings and a greenish head and belly. The female is all green. This species can grow to about 25cm long.
The Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) is believed to be winter visitor, though a rather rare one. This large pigeon can grow to about 45cm long, and is usually found in the forest among the canopy. It has a pale grey head and belly, while the wings, back and tail are green. It feeds mostly on fruits.
The Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) is an uncommon resident bird. It lives in the forest, is usually seen on the ground foraging for seeds and small fruits. The wings and back are green, while the head and body are purplish brown. The male has a greyish cap bordered on each side by a faint white band. This species grows to about 25cm long.
The Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) is a very common resident bird that can be seen at forest edges, rural areas, open habitats and urban areas. It is greyish brown with a broad black collar with numerous white spots, which gives the species its common name. This is a popular pet bird which has been introduced to many other countries, and is commonly poached locally. It grows to about 30cm long, and forages on the ground for seeds.
The Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) is another common resident bird that is a popular pet bird. It can be seen at forest edges, rural areas, open habitats and urban areas. It is greyish brown all over except for the whitish breast that is marked with numerous horizontal dark stripes. The length of an adult bird is about 20cm. It forages on the ground for seeds.
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is sometimes also known as the Rock Dove. This introduced species has established itself very well in Singapore as well as many countries around the world, causing problems as some individuals sometimes carry diseases. The plumage is very variable, ranging from all white to all black, or white/black with grey, brown and black patches. In olden days, Rock Pigeons were used as homing pigeons for their ability to return to where they were released. They are sometimes also bred for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in East Asia. This species can grow to about 35cm long. In the wild, they are usually found on cliffs, feeding on seeds and fruits. In urban areas, however, they have adapted to roost on high-rise buildings and feed on human food, such as bread and rice.
References
Generally there is no real distinction between "pigeons" and "doves", though sometimes the former is used to refer to bigger ones, and the latter, smaller ones. Some people also use "pigeon" for the more frugivorous ones that forage on trees and bushes, and "dove" for those that forage on the ground.
An interesting fact about pigeons and doves is that they produce crop milk, which is basically a milk-like substance secreted from the lining of the crop, to feed their chicks. The crop is an expanded, muscular pouch near the throat for storing food before digestion.
Here are some of the pigeons and doves that can be seen in Singapore:
The Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) is a very common resident pigeon that can be seen in the forests, gardens and parks. The male is very colourful, with a purplish head, pinkish neck orange breast and green body.
The female is green all over. This species can grow to almost 35cm long, and feeds on small fruits and seeds.
The Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra) is an uncommon resident bird. It lives in the forest, feeding on small fruits and seeds. The male has an obvious pale green skin patch around each eye, reddish purple wings and a greenish head and belly. The female is all green. This species can grow to about 25cm long.
The Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) is believed to be winter visitor, though a rather rare one. This large pigeon can grow to about 45cm long, and is usually found in the forest among the canopy. It has a pale grey head and belly, while the wings, back and tail are green. It feeds mostly on fruits.
The Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) is an uncommon resident bird. It lives in the forest, is usually seen on the ground foraging for seeds and small fruits. The wings and back are green, while the head and body are purplish brown. The male has a greyish cap bordered on each side by a faint white band. This species grows to about 25cm long.
The Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) is a very common resident bird that can be seen at forest edges, rural areas, open habitats and urban areas. It is greyish brown with a broad black collar with numerous white spots, which gives the species its common name. This is a popular pet bird which has been introduced to many other countries, and is commonly poached locally. It grows to about 30cm long, and forages on the ground for seeds.
The Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) is another common resident bird that is a popular pet bird. It can be seen at forest edges, rural areas, open habitats and urban areas. It is greyish brown all over except for the whitish breast that is marked with numerous horizontal dark stripes. The length of an adult bird is about 20cm. It forages on the ground for seeds.
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is sometimes also known as the Rock Dove. This introduced species has established itself very well in Singapore as well as many countries around the world, causing problems as some individuals sometimes carry diseases. The plumage is very variable, ranging from all white to all black, or white/black with grey, brown and black patches. In olden days, Rock Pigeons were used as homing pigeons for their ability to return to where they were released. They are sometimes also bred for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in East Asia. This species can grow to about 35cm long. In the wild, they are usually found on cliffs, feeding on seeds and fruits. In urban areas, however, they have adapted to roost on high-rise buildings and feed on human food, such as bread and rice.
References
- Briffett, C. 1986. A guide to the common birds of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 160 pp.
- Robson, C. 2010. New Holland field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: New Holland Publishers. 304 pp.
- Singapore Birds. Retrieved Mar 25, 2013, http://singaporebirds.blogspot.sg
- Strange, M. 2000. Photographic guide to the birds of Southeast Asia. Singapore: Periplus. 398 pp.
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