“Dove” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(diver). Clean by the law and offered as a sacrifice by the poor (Gen. 15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6-8; Luke 2:24); symbol of innocence (Matt. 10:16); harbinger of God (Gen. 8); emblem of Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16).
“Dove’s Dung” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Eaten as a last resort, in time of famine (2 Kings 6:25).
“Pigeon” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(chirping bird). [DOVE.]
“Dove (Yonah, περιστερά)” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
The well-known bird of the pigeon tribe, of which there are many species. These words are translated both “dove” and “pigeon.” For the turtle-dove the words tor, τρυγώνv, are used, names supposed to be derived from the note of the bird. Pigeons are very common in Palestine, and if any persons were too poor to buy a pair for an offering the young could easily be caught in the holes of the rocks: thus God graciously ordered it that the poorest could obtain what was needed.
There are four species of doves that inhabit Palestine: of these the most abundant is the Rock Pigeon, or Blue Rock Dove, the Columba livia. They shun the habitation of man, and live in holes in the rocks. There are three species of turtle doves known in Palestine, which are both wild and domesticated. Some may often be seen in Jerusalem. The most abundant of these is perhaps the Turtur auritus.
Columba Livia
The dove is commonly taken as the emblem of peace: the Holy Spirit descended on the Lord “like a dove,” answering to “on earth peace, good will toward men.” It is also an emblem of harmlessness: “wise as serpents, harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). In the Song of Solomon the bridegroom three times calls the bride “my dove,” and says she has “doves’ eyes”; she also says the latter of him (Song of Sol. 1:15; Song of Sol. 2:14; Song of Sol. 4:1; Song of Sol. 5:2,12; Song of Sol. 6:9). Loving gentleness characterizes the dove.
Eurasia Collared Dove – Streptopalia Decaocto
“Dove's Dung” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Some take this in 2 Kings 6:25 to represent a kind of herb; we have plants similarly named, as cowslip, hart’s-tongue, and the Arabs have a herb they call “sparrows’ dung.”
“Turtle, Turtle Dove” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Where the word “turtle” occurs in the AV the “turtledove” is always to be understood. They are of the family of pigeons, and are plentiful in Palestine, of which there are several species. They could easily be procured by the poorest for the offerings, and a pair of them was brought when the Lord was presented in the temple (Gen. 15:9; Lev. 1:14; Lev. 5:7,11; Lev. 12:6,8; Num. 6:10; Psa. 74:19; Jer. 8:7; Luke 2:24). They are the harbinger of spring and when they return from their migration are a symbol of fruitfulness (Song of Sol. 2:12). The Turtur risorius is a dove found in Palestine. See DOVE.
Streptopelia Turtur—A turtle dove found in the Beyt Shean Valley.
“Pigeon” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
The well-known bird, often associated with the turtle dove, as being used by the poor in various sacrifices. A pair of these birds were offered when the Lord was presented in the temple (Luke 2:24). Pigeons were so numerous in Palestine that the poor were enabled easily to obtain a pair for any needed sacrifice (Gen. 15:9; Lev. 1:14; Lev. 5:7,11; Lev. 12:6,8; Lev. 14:22,30; Lev. 15:14,29; Num. 6:10).
Turtle Dove – Streptopelia Turtur
Rock Pigeon
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
probably from the same as 3196; a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)