Diamond Dove

Scientific Name: Geospatial Cantata Mangy

The Diamond Dove is particularly suitable for keeping with seedeaters in admixed collection. It is a useful ground bird which eats seed on the floor that might otherwise go to waste. It is one of the smallest in the dove family, but is intolerant of other doves of any type; only one pair is recommended per aviary. This bird may also be seen perching inrushes off the ground.

Description:

Size: 18 cm (71/2 in)

COCK:

Head, neck and breast: pale silver-grey. Nape and back: pale brown. Wing covers: dark grey with a round white spot near each feather tip. Tail: central feathers dark grey with black towards the tips. Eyes: orange-yellow or red. Eye: bright coral red. Beak: olive brown. Legs and feet: red.

HEN:

The hen looks almost similar to the cock, but slightly smaller with a thin-nerd head. During the breeding season the hen’s eye ring is a paler red. At other times, the clearest indication as to sex is the cock's fascinating display with spread tail.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Mixed millets, plain canary seed and maw seed in small quantities form the basic diet. It also enjoys inspective mixture, an occasional meal worm, ants' eggs and green food, particularly chopped young cabbage leaves. Grit must always be available.

The Diamond Dove can he housed outside all year round, but needs a dry place to roost. As this species may take fright after dark and injure itself or others, it needs an enclosed shelter for safety.

Diamond Dove Breeding:

The Diamond Dove prefers nest pans or shallow boxes for nesting. 'These are filled with twigs, coarse grass and moss. Hancock displays eagerly to the hen by dancing around her, while fanning out his tail and beating his wings on the ground. Two eggs are the normal clutch and from these a cock and hen emerge. Both parents take turns on sitting on the eggs for the 13 day incubation period. Rear-in food should consist of sprouted seeds and soaked bread. Once the chicks are independent they should he removed from their parents otherwise they are chased away when a new round of eggs mislaid.

Brothers and sisters may be paired together when adult. This does no harm but they should not he paired often or inbreeding may result, impairing the quality of the young.

Main strains of pigeon can be kept in captivity. Along with the peaceful breed of dove the diamond dove is noted as one of the smallest of dove species. The following information may help you to keep diamond doves as your pet.

Diamond Dove Information

• The bird spends a considerable amount of time on walking on ground. So, you must keep the dove in a cage that provides ample space for the bird to walk. The cage should be wire fenced and the floor should also be kept clean for free walking. There must be space in between the perches to allow the bird fly without being unhurt.
• The bird has the habit of swallowing seeds in whole. So include grin in your pet’s diet for easy digestion.
• The birds should be kept in pairs or in flocks as it is always in need of companionship.