Did you know that all domesticated pigeons and doves are descended from a single species: Columba livia, the rock dove?
No? Neither did we. But all those rollers, racers and dovecote occupants with fluffy feet. curly feathers and fan-tails are domesticated versions of the one species. And, apparently, the process of domestication began more than 10,000 years ago.





Header Image: rock dove (CC0) pixabay.com

And probably woodpigeons too, although they can roost in trees while pigeons can’t
Wood pigeons are a different species: Columba palumbus, while rock doves and all those domesticated pigeons/doves are Columba livia. I was astonished when I was told and didn’t believe it until I had fact-checked it with Google.
They are so alike they even have ‘nostrills’ like pigeons (and incidentally parrots?)