In culinary terminology, squab is an immature domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old, or its meat. Some authors describe it as tasting like dark chicken.
Pigeon chicks, approximately twenty days of age
A pair of king pigeons. Large breast muscles are common in utility pigeons.
A dovecote in the caves of Orvieto, Italy where the locals have raised squab for food since the time of the Etruscans in the Iron Age
A large volume of squab is served at Chinese American restaurants.
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
