Pigeons and doves are small to medium-sized birds with short bills on small, rounded heads. They have stocky, rounded bodies, longish, square or graduated tails, short legs, and long pointed wings. They fly fast and strongly, and several species perform lengthy migrations. Most species are brown or grey in overall colour. Most European species are predominately terrestrial.
 
There are 290 species worldwide. Six species breed in Europe.
 
Species seen but not photographed:

• New Zealand Wood Pigeon: New Zealand (November 2001)
• Madeiran Three-toed Pigeon: Madeira (May 2004)
• Laurel Pigeon: Tenerife (February 2009)