Pigeon

Pigeons (and doves) served as the specified sacrifice for those too poor to bring a lamb or goat. The Mosaic law accepted a pair of doves or young pigeons as a valid burnt offering (Leviticus 1:14), sin offering for a new mother (Leviticus 12:6), and purification sacrifice in other contexts. Abraham's covenant sacrifice in Genesis 15 included a turtledove and pigeon. Joseph and Mary presented two turtledoves or young pigeons at Jesus's presentation in the temple — the poverty offering — and Jesus drove out those selling doves at the temple entrance during the cleansing. The dove at Jesus's baptism echoes both the creation dove and Israel's sacrificial practice.