Scientific Name of Pigeon

Scientific Name of Pigeon: Every organism is assigned a unique scientific name, ensuring distinct identification for every species. These names, known as binomial nomenclature, provide a standardized and internationally recognized way to categorize and refer to living organisms. Scientific name of the common pigeon is Columba livia, also known as the rock pigeon and rock dove. Pigeons are members of the order Columbiformes. This order includes doves and pigeons. There are over 300 species, with the average lifespan of a pigeon for 15 years. Pigeons belong to the family Columbidae. This family includes not only the common pigeon but also various doves and pigeons with diverse characteristics and habitats.

In this article, you will read about the Scientific name of Pigeon, the classification and taxonomy of pigeon, their characteristics, and their habitat.

What is the Scientific Name of Pigeon?

The Scientific name of the pigeon is “Columba livia”, belonging to the”phylum Chordata” and “Subphylum Vertebrata”. When compared to other animals and birds, Pigeons are known for their extremely hygienic behaviors. They belong to a wide variety of species within the “Columba genus.” It has been discovered that pigeons live an average of six years. In Hindi, it’s called “kabootar”, and in ancient times, It was used as a messenger. The wild rock dove is weighted between 238 and 380 grams, and adults measure between 11 and 15 inches in length, with a wingspan of 24 to 28 inches. They can live for three to five years or up to fifteen years, depending on a variety of conditions, including natural predation and human intervention. These pigeons are occasionally bred in captivity or other controlled environments to produce beautiful variants with various feather patterns and colors.
The following list of pigeon species includes their scientific names:

• Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
• Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)
• Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)
• Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
• Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura Victoria)

Indian Pigeon

The Indian rock pigeon is the best flying bird in India, belonging to “The Columba genus” and “Livia Species”. These birds gain more value in today’s culture as more people become aware of their delicate beauty. They are commonly found in Indian cities and towns due to their excellent adaption to urban areas. Its plumage exhibits a range of colors and patterns.
Some of the common species of Indian Pigeons are given below:

• Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
• Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
• Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera)
• White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

Taxonomy of Pigeon

Researchers and scientists can better understand the evolutionary ties between various species, with the help of classification. The taxonomy of Pigeons is given below.

Scientific name	“Columba livia”
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)
Subphylum	Vertebrata (Vertebrates)
Class	Aves (Birds)
Order	Columbiformes (Pigeons and doves)
Genus	Columba

Characteristics of Pigeon

The following characteristics of pigeon are given below:

1. Pigeons originated on various continents of the world.
2. They have two large wings.
3. It can even fly very high.
4. It is mainly found in red, white, grey, and brown colors.
5. They are calm in nature.
6. It has a small beak.
7. They have ability to live in both urban and rural areas.
8. They eat seeds, grains, small nuts, and pulses, etc.
9. People used a pigeon as a messenger in ancient times.
10. They exhibit hygienic behaviors.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat of Pigeon

They originated in the region excluding the Sahara deserts, Arctic, and Antarctic, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in a wide range of environments and temperatures. They are commonly spotted in parks, and other landscapes all over the world. While the Wild Columba livia are native to Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia. Wild pigeons are found everywhere in the world, including all over North America.

FAQs on Scientific Name of Pigeon

1. What is the Scientific Name of Pigeon?

The Scientific name of the pigeon is “Columba livia”, belonging to the “kingdom Animalia” and “phylum Chordata”. When compared to other animals and birds, Pigeons are known for their extremely hygienic behaviors. They belong to a wide variety of species within the “Columba genus.”

2. Do Doves Share the Same Scientific Name as Pigeons?

Doves and pigeons are closely related, and they both belong to the family Columbidae. The common pigeon’s scientific name is Columba livia, and doves may belong to various species within the Columbidae family.

3. Which Pigeons are Members of the “Columbidae Family”?

Pigeon are members of the “Columbidae Family” also called the rock pigeon and rock dove, and is distributed on almost every continent. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is an ancestor of this species.

4. Is the Scientific Name the Same for Wild and Domesticated Pigeons?

Yes, the scientific name Columba livia applies to both wild and domesticated pigeons. Domesticated pigeons are often considered a subspecies of the rock pigeon.

5. Name Some of the Species of Pigeon with their Scientific Names.

The following list of pigeon species includes their scientific names are:

• Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
• Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)
• Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)
• Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)