The Dove of Love

Oriental Turtle Dove making a heart with its wings

Awww... doves are so Valentines, aren't they?  Soft, pure symbols of love.  

And who hasn't seen the sweet turtle doves nestling together cozily?

Doves...

...are another name for pigeons.

...which have been characterized, not by me, as "rats with wings"!

So why do "doves = love"  but "pigeons = pests"?


There are only small differences between the two.

Here in the U.S, we commonly see the Mourning dove and maybe a domestic white dove or two. 

Recently, I rescued what what I thought was a wild Mourning Dove and took it to a pigeon breeder here in town to recover. Turned out the dove was a hybrid of Mourning dove with a domestic dove. Interesting.

Interesting, but not as interesting as doves in other parts of the world...they are a knock-out!  

Did you know that fruit doves are considered some of the most colorful birds on earth?

And can even a little bit shocking?  Look at this dove; it looks like it's 's been shot!  But this is a Bleeding Heart dove, found in the Philippines.  What an appropriate name...

(And hopefully this bird is not symbolic of how your Valentine's Day is progressing.)




And now, you gotta see these doves to believe them...Doves...they're not just "white" anymore. 

The Coronetted dove practically glows with color.

I could go on and on; there are so many more gorgeous doves in the world.

And here is the very widespread Feral Rock pigeon (or Rock dove) that you see in parks (you know, the "rat with wings").  I might be a bit prejudiced against these in particular, because at one time their nesting habits caused me some serious roof repairs.  Not that I'm bitter. :)

Have a Dovey Valentines Day!

There are many more doves and pigeons to discover, some of which you can see here