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Darwins Pigeons, African Owl
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Darwins Pigeons, African Owl
Figure 22, Original drawing from the book Variation in Animals and Plants under Domestication by Charles Darwin, 1868. Library reference number DC BD 858 (Vol. 1) Date: 1868
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Media ID 14239364
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
Charles Darwin Columba Columba Domestica Columba Livia Columba Livia Domestica Columbidae Columbiformes Darwin Domestic Pigeon Fancy Domestic Pigeon Fancy Pigeon Feral Pigeon Line Drawing Pigeon Rock Dove Rock Pigeon Sauropsid Sauropsida
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Figure 22" in Charles Darwin's seminal work, "Variation in Animals and Plants under Domestication," published in 1868, features an intriguing comparison between the wild Columba livia, or Rock Dove, and its domesticated counterpart, Columba livia domestica, or the Pigeon (Figure 22). This line drawing, originally published in Darwin's book, sheds light on the profound transformation that occurs when animals are selectively bred for specific traits. Darwin's meticulous observation and documentation of the differences between the African Owl (not depicted in this figure) and these two pigeons served as a foundation for his groundbreaking theories on natural selection and evolution. The wild Rock Dove, with its plain, natural plumage, stands in stark contrast to the ornate and elaborate plumage of the Fancy Domestic Pigeon. The latter, a result of centuries of human intervention, displays an array of colors, patterns, and shapes that are not found in nature. This illustration also highlights the close relationship between the Pigeon and the Owl, both belonging to the class Sauropsida and order Columbiformes, with the Pigeon being part of the Columbidae family. The African Owl, with its distinctive facial discs and large, forward-facing eyes, is a master of nocturnal hunting, while the Pigeon is a diurnal bird, known for its cooing sounds and seed-eating habits. This drawing, with its historical significance and scientific importance, offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of animal domestication and evolution, as observed and documented by one of the greatest minds in history, Charles Darwin.
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