The rock dove, or rock pigeon, of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa is the ancestor of domestic pigeons. It has the same build and size (13 inches [33 cm] in length) as the tame bird of cities and farms, but is always colored blue-gray. The wood pigeon, or ring dove, of Europe is larger (16 inches [40 cm]). A North American relative is the brown band-tailed pigeon of the West Coast and southern Rocky Mountains.

Many colorful and unusual pigeons are found in the tropics. The Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon, distinguished by a bright red spot on its white chest, is found in the Philippines. The small painted pigeons of the South Pacific islands are red, blue, and iridescent black; related forms are gold and lavender. In southeastern Asia and Australia are found the green pigeons, with glowing plumage, and the handsome fruit pigeons and imperial, or nutmeg, pigeons with wide mouths that enable them to swallow large nuts and fruits. The biggest member of the family is the Victoria crowned pigeon of New Guinea. It is 33 inches (84 cm) long, with lacy plumes set lengthwise on its head. A species that differs from the smooth-plumaged look of most pigeons is the Nicobar pigeon, whose long, pointed black feathers give it a shaggy appearance.

Pigeons and doves belong to the family Columbidae. The rock dove is Columba livia; wood pigeon, C. palumbus; band-tailed pigeon, C. fasciata; Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba luzonica; Victoria crowned pigeon, Goura victoria; Nicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica. Painted, green, fruit, and imperial pigeons belong to a number of different genera.