Doves are known for gentle, peaceful behavior and are often associated with love, peace, and purity. Typical behaviors include:
- Nesting and reproduction: Building nests in trees, shrubs, or on the ground; both parents incubate eggs and care for young.
- Social behavior: Living in flocks with strong community bonds and communication through vocalizations and body language.
- Mating and courtship: Elaborate rituals involving bowing, cooing, and feather displays.
- Feeding and foraging: Eating seeds, grains, fruits, and plant matter, often on the ground or in flight.
- Migration: Many species migrate long distances seasonally for food and favorable weather.
- Communication: Soft cooing sounds and body language such as wing flapping and tail fanning.
- Symbolism: Long associated with peace, love, fidelity, and purity; the dove with an olive branch is a recognized peace symbol.