鸽子
gē zi · HSK 7
pigeon
🕊️ 鸽 = 合 (hé, combine) + 鸟 (bird); 子 is a noun suffix
鸽 is phono-semantic: 鸟 gives the bird meaning, 合 hints at the sound gē. 子 is the common noun-forming suffix you see in 桌子, 椅子, 帽子. So 鸽子 literally parses as combine-bird-suffix, i.e. the dove/pigeon bird.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.