In Genesis 8, two birds are given full attention: the raven and the dove. When the waters started to recede, Noah sent out birds to see how long it would be before dry land appeared and they could all exit the ark. Four tests were given with these birds, one with the raven and three with the dove.
The raven was let go but did not return to Noah with an answer. It continued to fly above the waters until the waters had receded enough for it to land. Ravens are scavengers. They are associated with death and barren, wasted lands which is why it did not return while there was no surface to be seen.
Then the dove was sent out. The waters still covered the surface of the earth so the dove returned to Noah. Seven days later he sent the dove out again and it returned with an olive leaf. This meant the waters had receded enough for trees to start showing up. When he sent it out again seven days later, it did not return. Doves are certainly ground birds so the bird returning means all the water had receded from the earth and land could be seen.
Doves would later symbolize mercy, peace, and hope in the biblical story but also long afterward. The Holy Spirit as described by Mtthew was like a dove descending on Jesus (Matthew 5). The once popular image of a dove with a branch in its beak originated with this story and became a symbol of peace and prosperity.
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