Often confused but not quite the same, here’s how pigeons and doves differ in form, flight, diet, and behaviour
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What’s the main difference between pigeons and doves?
Pigeons are generally larger and stockier, while doves are smaller, slimmer, and more delicate in build.
How can you tell them apart in flight?
Pigeons fly in a strong, direct line with steady wingbeats, whereas doves move in quicker, darting bursts, often with a soft whirring sound.
Do pigeons and doves eat the same things?
Not quite. Many pigeons feed on grains or fruit (like figs and berries), while most doves prefer grass seeds and fallen grain.
How do their social behaviours differ?
Pigeons are highly social and often seen in large flocks, especially in cities, while doves are usually found alone or in pairs and tend to be more shy.
Which Indian states and regions have pigeons or doves as their state birds?
Yellow-footed green pigeon — Maharashtra
Emerald dove — Tamil Nadu
Green imperial pigeon — Tripura
Andaman wood pigeon — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
About the Authors
Mansab Sayyad
researches wildlife, but mostly, he observes, who eats whom, who shares space, and who wins the unspoken battles of survival. He is running or writing about the strange, silent dramas unfolding in nature (and in human life).
