The terms "pigeon" and "dove" are informal and are not used to
imply taxonomic divisions within the group. The terms are often
used interchangeably, although there is a tendency for the term
"pigeon" to be used when referring to larger species and "dove"
to be used when referring to smaller species. Pigeons and doves
are small to medium size birds. They have short legs, a portly
body, short neck and small head. Their plumage usually consists
of various tones of grey and tan although some species have
iridescent swatches of feathers adorning their neck as well as
bars and spots on their wings and tail. Pigeons and doves have
short bills which are hard at the tip but softer at the base
where the bill meets with a naked cere (a waxy structure that
covers the portion of the bill closest to the face). The diet of
pigeons and doves consists primarily of seeds and fruit. Most
species forage on the ground or by picking food from bushes and
trees. Some species also eat insects. Pigeons and doves are most
successful in