DOVES Symbols of peace

“Africa has been called ‘the land of doves’.”

Dove and pigeon species are all placed in the family Columbidae. In total there are 310 species, and they occur on all continents except those in the polar regions. Africa has been well blessed with doves and pigeons with 33 species to be found on the continent.

Indeed, Africa has been called ‘the land of doves’. These include 12 species of pigeons, four green pigeons and 17 doves (including the wood-doves). In South Africa 15 species occur, while in the Kruger National Park (KNP), there are nine.

Due to limited space, the pigeons (African speckled and the African green pigeons) have been excluded from this article.

There are three ‘collared’ dove species that all look rather similar. All are mainly grey in colour, and all have a black collar around the back (nape) of the neck. These are all from the genus , and they are the , the and the doves. Unless calling, these three are best separated by examining the eyes.