The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) and the common Rock Dove (Columba livia), often called the city pigeon, are both mainstays of backyards and urban landscapes across North America. Despite their differing public images, they are closely related and belong to the same biological family. Their shared ancestry explains the subtle similarities in their appearance and behavior that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The Shared Avian Family
The biological connection between Mourning Doves and Pigeons is established through taxonomy. Both birds are members of the avian order Columbiformes, which contains only one family: Columbidae.
The terms “dove” and “pigeon” are generally used interchangeably in scientific contexts. The distinction in common English is a tradition where “pigeon” refers to larger species and “dove” to smaller ones. This shared family classification indicates that they share a relatively recent common ancestor in evolutionary history. The Columbidae family includes over 300 species worldwide, all sharing a basic, stout-bodied structure with short necks and small heads.
Distinguishing Physical Traits
While their family tree is the same, physical differences between a Mourning Dove and a Rock Dove are apparent. Pigeons are stockier and more robust, measuring 11 to 15 inches in length. Mourning Doves are sleeker and more slender, generally measuring 9 to 13 inches.
Tail shape is a reliable identifier for the two species. The Mourning Dove possesses a distinctly long, pointed tail with white outer edges. Pigeons, or Rock Doves, have a shorter, rounded, or fan-shaped tail.
Coloration also separates the two. The Mourning Dove displays a soft, muted grayish-brown palette with a pinkish hue on its chest. Pigeons, particularly feral ones, exhibit a wider variety of colors, often including iridescent green and purple feathers around their necks. Their vocalizations differ, as the dove’s soft, mournful cooing contrasts with the pigeon’s deeper, louder calls.
Common Biological Behaviors
Both Mourning Doves and Pigeons share specific biological behaviors that reinforce their close kinship. A defining shared trait of the Columbidae family is the production of “crop milk.” This is a highly nutritious secretion produced by the lining of the crop, which is fed to the hatchlings.
Both male and female parents produce this specialized substance to sustain their young. Both species also share a tendency to build flimsy nests, often consisting of a minimal platform of sticks. The diets of both birds are fundamentally similar, centered heavily on seeds and grains foraged on the ground.