Columbidae, also called doves or pigeons, are a family of birds that includes over 300 species. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes.

Species of the Columbidae family are characterized by a massive trunk with a small head, a short, swollen beak and short legs with four toes. The wings, large and robust, make them excellent flyers.

The common dove (Columbina passerina) is one of the smallest species of the family

The sizes of the various species vary considerably: they range from the gura of New Guinea, which reach the size of a turkey, to the turtle doves, which are slightly larger than a sparrow.
The primacy of the shortest species belongs to the dwarf fruit-eating dove (Ptilinopus nainus), which measures just 13 cm in length.

The soft and thick plumage is also very variable: some species have a monochromatic and inconspicuous colouration, while others, in particular the fruit-eating doves of the genus Ptilinopus and the pigeons of the genus Treron and Alectroenas, show off very showy multicolored liveries.