Feeding

Feeding

White-bellied green pigeon (Treron sieboldii) feeding on fruit
Seeds and fruit form the major component of the diets of pigeons and doves.[33][66] In fact, the family can be divided into the seed-eating or granivorous species (subfamily Columbinae) and the fruit-and-mast-eating or frugivorous species (the other four subfamilies).[67] The granivorous species typically feed on seed found on the ground, whereas the frugivorous species tend to feed in trees.[67] There are morphological adaptations that can be used to distinguish between the two groups: granivores tend to have thick walls in their gizzards, intestines, and esophagi whereas the frugivores tend to have thin walls.[33] In addition, fruit-eating species have short intestines whereas those that eat seeds have longer ones.[68] Frugivores are capable of clinging to branches and even hang upside down to reach fruit.[18][67]

In addition to fruit and seeds, a number of other food items are taken by many species. Some, particularly the ground doves and quail-doves, eat a large number of prey items such as insects and worms.[67] One species, the atoll fruit dove, is specialised in taking insect and reptile prey.[67] Snails, moths, and other insects are taken by white-crowned pigeons, orange fruit doves, and ruddy ground doves.[18]