December 5, 2024, 8:58 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The Diamond dove is a small bird species from Australia that is kept and bred by many bird lovers. This article discusses what this small dove species needs to feel comfortable in human care.
Origin
Diamond doves are a small bird species that is mainly native to Australia. The largest populations live in Queensland and New South Wales. This small pigeon species has adapted particularly well to life in very dry areas. Although they cannot survive completely without water, they often fly many kilometers to drink.
Diamond doves live mainly in open woodlands but also in herbaceous savannahs with shrubs. During the day, they spend most of their time on the ground; only at night do they seek out treetops and higher places. In contrast to many other Australian animals, they enjoy extensive sunbathing during the day – even in temperatures of up to 50 degrees.
The populations of diamond doves are considered stable and not endangered. They, therefore, do not fall under the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and do not require a certificate of competence to keep them. However, you should, of course, find out in advance about the appropriate conditions for keeping them.
Appearance
Diamond doves are among the smallest of all pigeon species. They weigh around 45 grams and grow to around 19 to 24 centimeters, including their tail feathers. Their most distinctive visual features are undoubtedly the strikingly colored orange-red ring around their eye and the white-speckled feathers that give them their name.
The diamond dove has a slender beak and relatively long tail feathers. The color of these feathers varies depending on the breeding variety. The wild form is brown-grey to grey-blue, but if you see bred diamond pigeons, they also have feather colors such as silver, red-brown, grey-white, or pied.
Behavior
Even though diamond doves are often kept and bred as pets, they do not become tame, but with some acclimatization, they can become sufficiently trusting. These sociable birds live together in groups, pairs, or larger flocks in the wild, so they should not be kept alone as pets.
However, you should pay attention to the gender distribution. A female and a male can be kept together well. Alternatively, you can also keep a group of only hens. Keeping several males together is not recommended, as this can lead to competitive behavior.
If you have enough space or even a whole room available for the birds, you can also keep them together with budgerigars. This is because the two species also share a habitat in the wild. However, caution should be exercised when socializing them with larger parakeets or canaries.
Diet
Diamond doves feed mainly on seeds and grains. These include millet, linseed, and hemp, for example. Care should be taken to ensure that the food dish is on the ground, as feeding from the ground corresponds to their natural behavior.
However, they also eat various grass seeds, herbs, and sprouted seeds. Fresh fruit and vegetables can also be offered, but they should be eaten in moderation due to their sugar content. From time to time, animal protein should also be added to the diet of diamond doves. They also eat small insects in the wild for an extra portion of protein. For pet diamond doves, mealworms, or similar feeder insects can be provided.
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Correct keeping & care
Diamond doves need a spacious aviary and daily free flight. The guideline is 1.6 square meters of floor space and one meter in height. However, diamond doves are, of course, happy with more space.
If you want to keep them in an outdoor aviary, they need a heated shelter. Keeping them outside is also beneficial for the small doves, as it allows them to indulge in their habit of sunbathing on the ground. However, it is important to ensure that the birds do not have to sit in draughts.
These Australian doves prefer sand baths to water baths. You should, therefore, provide them with a shallow bowl of chinchilla sand. In addition, perches, food, and water bowls should not be missing. If kept and cared for properly, diamond doves can live for at least ten years. However, there are also reports of a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.