Marian Irmler, age 10, of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada for her question:

How do doves differ from pigeons?

The birds we call doves and pigeons are so much alike that they are classed in the same family. Some species are a little larger. Some are pampered pets, some are halftame and others live freely in the wild. All of them are descended from the wild rock dove. So strictly speaking, all of them are doves. However, in everyday language we call some of them doves and some pigeons. Most larger members of the Colbidae family are called pigeons. Usually the smaller white species are called doves.

The larger type includes the half tame city pigeon, the tame homing pigeon and several child wood pigeons. However, one fairly large wild species is called the mourning dove, alias the turtle dove. Most of the tame white types are called doves. Then, of course, there is that magical bird called the Dove of Peace. Who knows, maybe if we called him the Peace Pigeon he just might come doom to earth.