Squatter Pigeon, Australia
Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Zambia, Africa
Pied Imperial Pigeon, Australia
If you have ever listened to a dove, you know the sweet, gentle voice of peace. Seems like right now is a good time to relax into the peace of doves.
The bird that is classically associated with peace for centuries, doves and pigeons form the family Columbidae. There are over 300 worldwide species. They live everywhere except in extreme temperatures.
The terms “dove” and “pigeon” are often used interchangeably. Usually doves are smaller, and pigeons larger, but there are many scientific distinctions.
More information Columbidae
In North America, one of our most common doves is the mourning dove. It has several soft cooing vocalizations that add a mellow, repetitive coo-woo-woo to the air.
Mourning Dove, California
They also have a soft, whistling wingbeat sound.
So many times friends or co-workers have excitedly told me they heard an owl, only to find after we investigated further, that they were hearing a mourning dove. It is a muted sound, steady, with a slow, repeating call, and much like an owl.
Where I live in Northern California, we have a forest dove, the band-tailed pigeon. They do not have noticeable vocalizations, but the sanguine sight of their 25+ flocks synchronistically cruising over our valley is equally as calming.
Band-tailed Pigeon pair, California
Perched flock of band-tailed pigeons, California
The pigeons we see in cities, the domestic pigeon, are called rock doves. Sit on a bench in a city plaza and you can hear their cooing, like purring; the sun highlights their iridescent features.
Rock Dove visiting the San Francisco Hyatt
My favorite fruit dove, the Wompoo Fruit Dove, can be found hundreds of feet up in the Australian rainforest canopy eating figs and other fruit. I fell in love with its soothing wom-pooooo call.
Impossible to photograph, so high up, I give you an audio glimpse instead.
Woompoo Fruit Dove Vocalization
Another Australian rainforest dove.
Emerald Dove, Australia
Across the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii, the tender dove calls seamlessly blend into the fragrant air and tropical breezes.
Spotted Dove, Maui
We need more docile dove sounds in this world, and fortunately, they’re everywhere.
Written by Jet Eliot.
Photos by Athena Alexander.
White Rock Dove pair, Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Oahu
Jet Eliot 