Columbidae

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/columbidae

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Columbidae
2. What are pigeons and doves?Pigeons and doves are birds that belong to the Columbidae family. They have over 300 species and live all over the world except the coldest polar places.
3. Why can pigeons find their way home?Pigeons have a strong homing instinct. They use the Earth's magnetic field, the sun, smells, and landmarks to navigate long distances.

Columbiformes: The avian order to which pigeons and doves belong, characterized by their unique morphology and behavior.
Altricial Young: Offspring that are born in a helpless condition, requiring extensive parental care and feeding.
Ecological Plasticity: The ability of an organism to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and exploit diverse resources.
Seed Dispersal: The ecological process by which seeds are transported away from the parent plant, often facilitated by frugivores like Columbidae.