Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae consists of pigeons and doves; family Raphidae was the dodo and the solitaire birds. Family Pteroclididae (the sand grouse) is sometimes placed in the order Charadriiformes, or given it’s own order, Pteroclidiformes.

Columbiformes consists of plump land birds with small heads and short bills with a downcurved culmen and a fleshy cere. They have a large crop, and most also have a muscular gizzard. The crop is the source of 'crop milk', which they use to feed their young. They have short legs with reticulate scales, the feet are not webbed, and the toes are short. Their dense plumage is easily detached. They eat primarily fruits and seeds.

You can find a list of Columbidae and Raphidae genera and species at http://www.zoonomen.net/avtax/colu.html.

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