Pigeons are larger than doves and tend to have square or rounded tails.
They are plump birds with small heads and thick gray, brown, or bluish plumage, usually varied in color with some iridescent feathers. They have many color variations due to inbreeding. Doves and pigeons are known for their low, cooing voices. During wartime, pigeons have served many nations as message carriers. Pigeons have now developed bad reputations in cities as disease carriers and general nuisances.