Old world pigeons (Columba)

Merpati or old world pigeons (Columba) is a genus of animal in the Columbidae, large birds consisting of a group of medium to large sized species, many domestic breeds for racing pigeons and fantail pigeons, some of which have gone wild.

Columba includes about 35 species. Stocky body with short neck and short slender beak with watery cere. Nests are built from twigs and other debris that are placed in trees or the ground depending on the species.

This genus eats seeds, fruit and plants. One or two eggs at a time. Both parents care deeply for their young and produce this highly nutritious substance to feed them. Both parents will leave the cage after 7-28 days.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columba

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