ABSTRACT
Pigeons and doves are easily distinguished by their relatively small heads, bulky bodies, short legs, and fleshy nasal membranes. In tropical forests, they occupy all strata from the floor to the canopy. Sexual dichromatism occurs in many, but not all, species and, although males generally average larger, there is often too much overlap to distinguish males from females by their measurements. Most, if not all, species apparently follow the Complex Basic Strategy. If prealternate molts are present in some species, they may be particularly challenging to identify given how readily the contour plumage can be shed and then replaced adventitiously. Until people learn more about tropical species, including how pervasive incomplete preformative molts are and how extensively skulls ossify, it is best to age birds without molt limits as after first juvenile (FAJ). Brood patches and cloacal protuberances are poorly developed and generally should not be used to sex birds or identify breeding.
