Noah sent a dove from Noah’s Ark to test whether the floodwaters had receded.
Genesis 8 describes Noah first sending a raven. He then sends a dove several times. On its second return, the dove brings back a freshly plucked olive leaf, showing that vegetation has reappeared and the waters are declining.
The dove’s return with the olive leaf became a widely recognized symbol of peace, hope, and renewal. Genesis later records that Noah sends the dove once more; it does not return, indicating that the ground is becoming habitable.
The raven and the dove have different roles in the account. The raven is sent first, while the dove provides the clearer sign of restored land. This is why the dove is the canonical answer to questions about the bird that confirmed the floodwaters were receding.