The diamond dove is a small, quiet bird often suggested as a good beginner bird for first-time owners. The most common color is gray with white spots, which earned them the name diamond dove. They also have a distinctive red or orange ring around the eye. They are social birds, but they prefer other bird companions to people since they don’t like to be handled. Diamond doves are considered a good beginner bird for budding hobbyists because they are low-maintenance and generally healthy. Read on to learn more about the delicate diamond dove.
Species Overview
| Common Names: | Diamond Dove |
| Scientific Name: | Geopelia cuneata |
| Adult Size: | 7.5 inches |
| Life Expectancy: | 10 years |
Origin and History
The diamond dove is native to Australia and lives in semi-arid areas, generally Western, Central, and Northern Australia. In the wild, they run with a waddling gait but are skilled flyers. They feed in pairs or small groups and eat ants or seeds from the local grasses.
Temperament
Diamond doves are generally gentle birds and likely will not bite you. They are, however, fragile and do not like to be handled by humans unless they are hand-fed. They are social birds and will do well with other diamond doves or similar-sized birds as companions. However, they don’t get along with children since they do not like to be held or pet.
The diamond dove does well in aviaries where they can interact with the nature around them and their companion birds. They can be kept in mixed aviaries with other small birds, such as finches and canaries, because of their overall friendly demeanors.
- Friendly
- Calm
- Small
- Can’t be kept with larger birds
- Do not talk or mimic
- Don’t like to be handled
Speech & Vocalizations
The diamond dove is not known for speech or vocalizations. They are cooing birds that don’t make loud shrieks. Because of their quiet nature, they are ideal for apartments. The more birds you add to your aviary, the louder the cacophony will be, so that is something to keep in mind if you like a quiet home life.
Diamond Dove Colors and Markings
The native diamond dove is dark gray with white dots and black edges on its wings. The abdomen of the bird is a cream color, while the back and the long, slender tail are a brown-gray color. They have a red to orange colored eye-ring that is more vivid in the males of the species.
There are a variety of other colors due to captive breeding:
- Silver: A pale gray bird
- Brilliant: An almost white bird
- Cinnamon: A light gray bird with brown and red wings
- Yellow: A beige-colored bird
There are also whitetail varieties, and they can be bred as silver whitetails, blue whitetails, and yellow whitetails.
Caring for the Diamond Dove
Diamond doves may be fragile birds, but they are relatively healthy and easy to care for, which is why they are the perfect bird for beginners. They are sociable birds and usually need at least one other bird with them. A cage is one of the first things you will need for your bird. A wider cage with a long horizontal surface across the bottom is best for these waddling ground dwellers.
Doves spend much of their time at the bottom of the cage, and grates hurt their feet. If you can find a cage with a smooth bottom, it will help your birds walk around the bottom.
Once you purchase your cage, you can line it with paper towels or other soft materials to help protect your bird’s feet. Place your cage where your bird can receive sunlight for a few hours daily. Ensure there is a spot in the cage where they can get shade if they get overheated. You can also get a daylight light bulb as a substitute if you can’t provide them with a sunny spot.
Nest boxes for breeding are also important for doves during mating season. You can use an appropriate-sized wicker basket and tie it to the bars of the cage. You can also make a nesting bed out of a round cardboard container. Providing appropriate nesting material, such as straw, can help the birds make their preferred nest.
Common Health Problems
Diamond doves are generally healthy birds, but they can develop some health issues if they are not kept in a clean environment. They are prone to red mites, which come out at night to feed on the bird’s blood. If you’re housing your bird outside, you must be careful of tapeworms, roundworms, and other worm species that will make your bird sick.
They can also catch common bird ailments, including salmonellosis, parrot fever, and pigeon pox. If the bird is sick, you’ll notice fluffed feathers, balance issues, slippery droppings, and an unusual quietness. Keeping the environment clean and free of drafts will keep your bird in good health.
Diet and Nutrition
Diamond doves generally eat seeds and ants in the wild, and their diet can be replicated in captivity fairly well. Feed them a good quality seed mix as their primary daily food. Supplement the birdseed with soft fruits and fresh greens to help your bird get its mineral requirements.
You can give them sprouting seeds to help them get their greens. You can also provide a high-calcium grit and cuttlebone to ensure their calcium needs are met. During the breeding season, an occasional hard-boiled egg will be appreciated to assist with the additional protein needed during breeding.
Exercise
Diamond doves are typically ground birds, so they will need a wide cage to walk around on the floor. They like to walk around and flap their wings so it’s essential to keep the floor of the cage free from toys and other accessories. You can also let your bird roam the room as a form of exercise.
They should be allowed to fly a few hours per week. Make sure your windows and all doors are closed before releasing your bird. Cover all windows and mirrors and remove all other pets from the room for the bird’s safety.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Diamond Dove
Diamond doves are usually for sale at small and large pet stores. Breeders are also popular for obtaining a diamond dove and may offer more color mutations than your local pet store. The average cost of a diamond dove is $55–$150, depending on the coloring of your bird and the location of purchase.
You may also be able to adopt a diamond dove from a local or national bird adoption website. The diamond dove is a common breed, and you should not have a problem locating a source to help you adopt or buy a bird.
Conclusion
Diamond doves are good beginner birds because they are quiet and relatively low-maintenance. They need a long horizontal cage to let them walk around their cage daily and must be let out to fly a few hours per week. Feed them a good mix of seeds, grits, soft fruits, and fresh greens to ensure proper nutrition. They have few health problems if their environment is clean and draft-free. Diamond doves aren’t fond of being handled by humans and aren’t pets you can cuddle, but they are gentle and quiet, which makes them a good pick for a bird hobbyist in an apartment.
Featured Image Credit: Wang LiQiang, Shutterstock
