This dove has many common names: pigeon, rock dove, rock pigeon, racing pigeon, homing pigeon, domestic pigeon, among others, but rock pigeons are actually doves. (Commonly, the word 'pigeon' is used with the larger doves while the term 'dove' is usually reserved for the smaller and more delicate birds of this group. Scientifically, however, the word 'pigeon' has little significance.)