Streptopelia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of birds belonging to the dove family, often characterized by their soft cooing sounds and gentle demeanor
2. A type of bird commonly referred to as doves, recognized for their distinctive plumage and peaceful nature
3. A classification of avian species noted for their sociable behavior and often seen in pairs or small flocks

Etymology: Streptopelia is the genus name for a group of doves that includes the collared dove and the turtle dove, and it was coined in the nineteenth century by taking two Greek words and joining them. The first part, "streptos," means "twisted" or "necklaced," and the second, "peleia," is a Greek word for dove or pigeon, related to "peleiades," the name of the doves in Greek myth. The name therefore describes a dove with a twisted or necklace-like marking, a reference to the dark collar that many species in the group display on the back of the neck. The genus was named in a scientific framework that drew heavily on Greek roots, a practice standard for naming animals, plants and minerals in the 1800s. Scientists did not record this name from ancient sources, so the Greek elements reflect the coiner's choice rather than an ancient classification.

Synonyms: dove genus