Pigeons and doves constitute the bird clade Columbidae, that includes about 310 species. There is no strict division between pigeons and doves, which share certain features including stout-bodies with short necks, and short slender bills. Racing pigeons are descended from the Rock Dove. Pigeon is derived from the old French word Pijon. The earliest reference to messenger pigeons is from Ramses III (c1200 BC) when they were used to convey updates on the flood state of the Nile. Carrier pigeons, called The Kings Angels, were precious in the Arab world, and were brought back to Europe by the Crusaders.
See also: Green naped pheasant pigeon, Mindanao bleeding heart pigeon, Nicobar pigeon, Nilgiri pigeon, Oriental roller pigoen, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Speckled pigeon, Victoria crowned pigeon, Wood Pigeons, Yellow footed green pigeon.
