by Darla Dandre

Gosh, where do I start? Doves are also known as Pigeons so, as I write, I will be referring to both. Doves are not hard to keep; as a matter of fact, they are about the easiest cage birds to manage. Their temperament is calm and their disposition is sweet. They can be trained and they are very easy to clean up after! They do not talk, but they are full of love and personality. They don't call them the birds of peace for nothing!

Feeding doves is very easy. They like finch seeds, cockatiel seed mix, wild bird seeds, soaked dog food, leafy veggies, hard-boiled egg, bread crumbs, and occasionally mealworms. I also feed my doves peas, corn, carrots, beans, and pasta! Fresh water every day is a must and it must be deep enough for them to dip their entire beaks into. Doves suck-up water instead of lifting their heads, the same as if you were drinking with a straw. Grit is necessary and should be provided in a separate cup.

Cage size is important. The Ringneck Dove (the most commonly kept dove) has a large wing span and, if kept in a small cage, will flap to exercise its wings and destroy the flight feathers. If you do not have an aviary, I recommend that you use dog cages instead of bird cages. Dog cages are wider and longer than ordinary bird cages. The door is bigger and the tray is easy to clean. No bedding is necessary, but newspaper makes for even easier clean-up. Your dove will enjoy his cage much more if it is comfortable for him.

If you want to breed doves there are a few things that you have to do. First, you must build them a nest. They are terrible nest builders and do not build proper nests. I had a dove who actually laid 2 eggs on a bare trophy shelf once! Second, provide them with a little nesting material for their own use. When the male comes to the nest, he always brings a "gift" for the female. Doves will always lay 2 eggs and incubation takes 12-14 days. The babies are fed crop milk by both parents and leave the nest at two and a half weeks. They will continue being fed by the parents for about another 2 weeks until they are fully weened. Doves can be allowed 5 clutches per year without any problems. The pairs are monogamous and usually cannot be changed unless one of them dies.

These are great birds for children and adults who are afraid of big bird beaks. Doves do not bite. They will "slap" you with a wing if they are guarding the nest or do not want to be picked up, but most indoor doves are so tame that they don't even do that. I can reach under my hen and pick up her eggs without even the slightest bit of worry. Try that with a protective lovebird mommy! They will sit on your finger, land on your head, and join you at the popcorn bowl whenever they get the chance. Don't worry about accidents when out of the cage...droppings are non staining and can be picked up with a tissue. Overlooked droppings, when dry, can be vacuumed. When they coo...it almost sounds like "I love you."

Of course, the most popular dove is the Ringneck, closely followed by the Diamond Dove in the United States. Other countries are known to take their Doves and Pigeons a lot more seriously. Some of the more popular species kept are The Stock Dove, The Wood Pigeon, The Speckled Pigeon, The Olive Pigeon, The Scaly-Naped Pigeon, The Turtledove, The Spotted Dove, The Laughing Dove, The Tambourine Dove, The Cape Dove, The Emerald Dove, The Crested Pigeon, The Wonga Pigeon, The Zebra Dove, The Peaceful Dove, The Galapagos Dove, The Inca Dove, The Grey Faced Quail Dove, The Nicobar Pigeon, The Bartlett's Bleeding Heart Pigeon, and the very fancy and most beautiful (I think) of all doves...The Victoria Crowned Pigeon, just to name a few! A good book from the library usually contains pictures so you can see what the bird looks like, but the only way to appreciate the beauty of a dove is to actually see one. Even the Rock Dove (Common Pigeon) has a beautiful metallic sheen to its feathers. In Europe, aviculturists build elaborate accommodations for these birds. In Chicago, it's against the law to feed them.

Doves and pigeons are some of the most wonderful birds you can keep. They are undemanding and full of love. If you have the space, take on a pair. They never disappoint and are surprisingly delightful!!