Lena Chow sent in the above image and the video clip below of a pair of Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) to wish readers a Happy Valentine’s Day.
According to folklore, birds choose their mates on February 14th. And to the Chinese of old, doves represent faithfulness, filial piety and longevity. So doves have always been used as symbols of Valentine’s Day. And rightly, so should pigeons, as both belong to the family Columbidae.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Lena Chow
Singapore
February 2013
Am
Very suitable picture. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Louise
the video is a nice demonstration of 2 rock pigeon courtship behaviors-bowing and tail-dragging and i believe that they are mix of checker/black-white pied morphs