I shot the photo of this dove a while back. To be honest, I am actually not even sure if it’s a dove, maybe it’s a pigeon, I just know that a dove is exactly the same like a pigeon, and a pigeon exactly the same like a dove, at least here in Germany. For both we have just the name Taube. I assume the bird in the photo is called dove in English, because it’s a white one, I think those that are not white are called pigeon, do I understand this right?
Diary of Dennis 
When I look at it, I think dove, although I’m not really clear on the difference between doves and pigeons. Whichever it may be, I really like this shot with the bird standing out from the dark background so much.
I probably will also never be clear about that 😀 I liked the position of the bird too, the water in the background was perfect to make the bird stand out as you say. I think that is often the most difficult part about photography, it might be that you found a squirrel or a bird, but the next question is if there is nothing in the foreground that could distract from the subject. This bird posed on the perfect place, probably an experienced model 😀
Although the terms dove and pigeon are used interchangeably in English there are some differences. The bird you photographed so well can be called a dove.
‘According to Global Britannica, although the terms dove and pigeon are often used interchangeably, there are differences between the two species. Doves typically have smaller bodies and bigger tails than pigeons. But there is an exception: the domestic pigeon, which is often called a rock dove and also known as the “dove of peace.” Pigeons and doves belong to the same family, Columbidae, and have many similar features.’
There are some 300+ species in the Columbidae, but probably only an ornithologist can tell the differences upon seeing one … English is a language that often has variants terms for similar things.
“Pigeons and doves belong to the same family, Columbidae, and have many similar features.”
That is why I couldn’t understand the difference, as we have just one term for this family in Germany, I just know this one word “Taube” that we use for any bird of the Columbidae species. But as you say, English has variant terms for similar things, I noticed this several times now, it’s interesting but at times confusing 🙂
Thanks for the additional infos, that is something I read somewhere too… I also found some sources that say simplified you could say you find pigeons in the cities and doves in the nature. So, basically a difference between domestic and wild Columbidae. Although I shot the photo of the dove near a pond in the city, it’s a dove that you don’t see that often in our city, rather outside of the city, so it somewhat makes sense too to make a difference here.
The differences of languages is quite interesting, often things mix up over time, sometimes things get confusing, all in all it’s very interesting 🙂
Our Mourning Doves (small ones) and White winged doves are locals. Recently the Eurasian collared ones (originally from Bahamas the n Florida. they are larger and pale with a dark collar at the back of neck) have been migrating through here in winter. Some pictures are here: http://www.hunting-in-texas.com/legaltexasdoves.htm
YOu picture is really pretty with the texture of the feathers showing nicely against the flat blue – the green spikes of grass add interest, too
Taking a look at the website, it’s interesting that especially the feral pigeon (or rock pigeon) looks always the same no matter where they are. They look exactly the same here in Germany.
I glad you like the photo, I had luck to meet the dove on a good place with a nice pond background 🙂
For what it’s worth, the answer is pigeon … but … pigeons ARE a kind of dove. Technically, a rock dove because before they discovered the joys of city life, they nested on ledges on rocky cliffs. Good shot!
Thanks for the info, I am glad you like the photo Marilyn 🙂