A dovecote or dovecot, doocot (Scots) or columbarium is a structure intended to house pigeons or doves. Dovecotes may be free-standing structures in a variety of shapes, or built into the end of a house or barn. They generally contain pigeonholes for the birds to nest. Pigeons and doves were an important food source historically in the Middle East and Europe and were kept for their eggs and dung.
Dovecote at Nymans Gardens, West Sussex, England
A dovecote at Najafabad, Iran
Pigeon tower in Kavastu, Estonia (built 1869)
A dovecote at Mazkeret Batya, Israel
The domestic pigeon is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove or rock pigeon. The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Pigeons were most likely domesticated in the Mediterranean at least 3000-5000 years ago, and may have been domesticated earlier as a food source. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.
Domestic pigeon
Dovecote at Nymans Gardens, West Sussex, England
A Spread Ash Pomeranian show crest pigeon, showing one of the forms of feather crest that pigeons may possess
White Cropper pigeon with feathered feet