9 Bird Similar to Pigeons: You Might Not Know
Bird similar to pigeons encompass a variety of species, each with unique traits yet sharing commonalities in appearance, behavior, and habitat with typical pigeons. Pigeons are common birds with round bodies and short legs.
They’re mostly gray but can have shiny neck feathers. These birds are famous for their soft “cooing” sound. Other birds look a lot like pigeons.
They might be different in color or size but share many pigeon-like features. In this article, we’ll talk about these birds and find out what makes them unique, even though they remind us of pigeons.
All Birds similar to pigeons list :
- Mourning dove
- Eurasian Collared Dove
- Rock Pigeon
- Common Ground-Dove
- Inca Dove
- Wood pigeon
- Collared Dove
- Spotted Dove
- Turtle dove
1. Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura):
The Mourning Dove looks similar to a pigeon but is smaller and has a long tail with white edges. They live all over North America and like open spaces or forest edges.
These doves eat seeds, storing them in a special throat pouch before digestion. Their soft “coo” sound is distinctive and much quieter than a pigeon’s coo.
- Length: 9 – 13 in (23 – 33 cm)
- Weight: 3.5 – 6.5 oz (100 – 185 gm)
- Wingspan: 17 -18 in (42 – 47 cm).
2. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) :
The Eurasian Collared Dove is easy to recognize. It’s bigger than a pigeon and mostly light gray. You can spot it by the black ‘collar’ around its neck. These doves are found across Europe and Asia, and they don’t usually migrate.
They like living near humans, in farms, parks, and gardens. Eurasian Collared Doves eat seeds and grain, which they find on the ground.
They’re known for their loud “cooing” call, which is different from a pigeon’s sound. Unlike pigeons, they don’t gather in large groups but are often seen in pairs or alone.
- Length: 11.4 – 11.8 in (29 – 30 cm)
- Weight: 4.9 – 6.3 oz (140 – 180 gm)
- Wingspan: 37 – 45 cm (16 – 17.7 in)
3. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia):
The Rock Pigeon is a common city bird, about as big as a small chicken. They are mostly gray with black stripes on their wings and shiny neck feathers. These pigeons are good at living in cities and make their nests on buildings and bridges.
They eat seeds, fruits, and leftover human food, helping to clean up but sometimes causing messes with their droppings.
- Length: 11.8 – 14.2 in (30 – 36 cm)
- Weight: 9.3 -13.4 oz (265 – 380 gm)
- Wingspan: 19.7- 26.4 in (50-67 cm)
4. Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) :
The Common Ground-Dove is much smaller than a pigeon, only about 16 inches long. They are gray-brown with a hint of pink. These doves are found in places like Florida and Texas and don’t migrate.
They mostly eat seeds and grains, picking them up from the ground. You’ll often see them pecking in the dirt for food.
- Length: 5.9 – 7.1 in (15 – 18 cm)
- Weight: 1.0 – 1.4 oz (28 – 40 gm)
- Wingspan: 11 in (27 cm)
5. Inca Dove (Columbina inca):
The Inca Dove looks a bit like a small pigeon with tan feathers that have a unique scaled pattern. They’re much smaller than pigeons, only about 7.5 inches long.
You can find them in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They prefer to live in dry places like deserts but are also seen in parks and neighborhoods.
Inca Doves play a helpful role in the environment. They eat seeds, which helps to spread plants around. They also eat insects and fruits. Their diet and habit of spreading seeds make them important for keeping the ecosystem healthy.
- Length: 7.1 – 9.1 in (18 – 23 cm)
- Weight: 1.1 – 2.0 oz (30 – 58 gm)
- Wingspan: 11.22 -12.60 in (28.5 – 32 cm)
6. Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus):
The Wood Pigeon is a large bird, easily spotted by its gray color, pinkish breast, and white neck patch. It’s bigger than most city pigeons. These birds are common in Europe and parts of Asia.
They like living in woodlands, parks, and gardens. Wood Pigeons eat a lot of seeds and grains, and they also like to munch on fruits and crops.
This can make them a bit of a problem for farmers because they eat a lot of crops. But, they also help the environment by spreading seeds from the plants they eat, which helps new plants to grow.
- Length: 15.8 – 16.9 in (40 – 43 cm)
- Weight: 14.1 – 22.2 oz (400 – 630 gm)
- Wingspan: 27.6 – 29.5 in (70 – 75 cm)
Read also: 5 Bird Similar to Seagulls
7.Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto):
The Collared Dove looks quite like a pigeon but is easy to spot because of the black collar around its neck. It’s a bit smaller than a regular pigeon and has a light gray body.
These doves are found all over Europe, and Asia, and have even moved into North America. They like living in towns, farms, and gardens, close to people. Collared Doves eat mostly seeds and grains, just like pigeons.
They have a special way of drinking water, sucking it up instead of tilting their head back like other birds. You’ll often hear them with their soft “coo” sounds, especially in the morning and evening.
- Length: 1.4 – 11.8 in (29 – 30 cm)
- Weight:4.9 – 6.3 oz (140 -180 gm)
- Wingspan: 37- 45 cm (16 -17.7 in)
8. Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis):
The Spotted Dove is a special bird with unique spots on its neck. It comes from Asia but now lives in many places like parks and cities. These doves eat seeds, grains, and sometimes insects and fruits.
They build their nests in trees, using twigs and grass, where they lay one or two eggs. This helps keep their babies safe. The Spotted Dove is known for being calm and can often be seen in gardens and backyards.
- Length: 11 – 12 in (28 – 31 cm)
- Weight: 4 – 6 oz (113 – 170 gm)
- Wingspan: 17 – 18 in (43 – 46 cm)
9. Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur):
The Turtle Dove is a small, gentle bird with a soft cooing sound. It has a grey and pink feather coat and a distinctive black and white neck pattern. Turtle Doves are mostly found in Europe and Asia, living in woodlands and open fields.
They feed on seeds and fruits from the ground. In spring, they build their nests in trees, laying one or two eggs. Sadly, Turtle Doves are becoming less common due to changes in farming and loss of habitats.
- Length: 10 – 11 in (26 – 28 cm)
- Weight: 3.5 – 5.5 oz (100 – 156 gm)
- Wingspan: 19 – 21 in (47 – 53 cm)
FAQS:
Q: What are some common birds similar to pigeons?
Ans: Birds like the Turtle Dove, Spotted Dove, and Mourning Dove share similarities with pigeons.
Q: What is closely related to a pigeon?
Ans: Doves, such as the Mourning Dove and the Inca Dove, are closely related to pigeons, both belonging to the Columbidae family.
Q: What is a large pigeon-like bird?
Ans: The Band-tailed Pigeon is a large bird that closely resembles the common pigeon in size and shape.
Q: Can I attract these birds to my garden?
Ans: Yes, you can attract them by providing food, water, and suitable nesting places in your garden.
Q: What should I feed birds similar to pigeons in my backyard?
Ans: Offering seeds, grains, and water can attract and nourish these birds in your backyard.
Conclusion:
Birds similar to pigeons, like the Turtle Dove and Spotted Dove, are interesting and important. They live in different places and have their unique habits and looks. Understanding these birds helps us appreciate nature’s diversity and reminds us to protect their homes and lives.