A house doves first adventure outdoors

[PizzaBagelPie]

She finally accepted her harness and got to go on an outside adventure. She decided she hates grass. She kept getting mad at the grass for tickling her then flew to me because she didn't like it

 

[jak2002003]

Not sure that is a good idea. You know a hawk could strike from nowhere, or a cat rush out of some shrubs?

It could also injure itself if startled by something and it will fly into the air and the harness will hurt it.

Have you thought about building it an outside flight cage instead?

I don't want to sound rood, but this is a dove, not a dog. A harness might work for a parrot because they use their beak and feet to climb about and won't fall. But a dove can't grip with its beak and does not climb like a parrot... and is in danger of falling and injury (as they are also very fine light boned)

 

[PizzaBagelPie]

Not sure that is a good idea. You know a hawk could strike from nowhere, or a cat rush out of some shrubs?

It could also injure itself if startled by something and it will fly into the air and the harness will hurt it.

Have you thought about building it an outside flight cage instead?

I don't want to sound rood, but this is a dove, not a dog. A harness might work for a parrot because they use their beak and feet to climb about and won't fall. But a dove can't grip with its beak and does not climb like a parrot... and is in danger of falling and injury (as they are also very fine light boned)

Shes not allowed more than a foot from me and stays on the harness. The harness also has elastic on the leash to break the pressure when she does hit the end. She is also fully flighted so shes not going to fall from anywhere and if its not my yard she is on my shoulder. She is only allowed on the ground in my yard. Unless a dog knocks me over to get to her she's perfectly safe

 

[jak2002003]

Shes not allowed more than a foot from me and stays on the harness. The harness also has elastic on the leash to break the pressure when she does hit the end. She is also fully flighted so shes not going to fall from anywhere and if its not my yard she is on my shoulder. She is only allowed on the ground in my yard. Unless a dog knocks me over to get to her she's perfectly safe

OK. But a cat caught and killed one of my ring neck doves in my back garden. The dove was actually sitting by my foot.. when cat jumped out of the flowerbed and ran off with her in its mouth. I happened in a split second.

I have also had my fantail doves taken by hawks when they right next to me on my fence at eye level.

And, I had a hawk fly into our shop and grab a small parrot from the pet shop in front of customers (the parrot had been sitting on the parrot stand near the checkout)... before flying to the automatic door and outside with it.

I would not take the risk of taking you bird outside like that. I don't see it serves any benefit to the bird.

I respect your decision though.. and hope that nothing happens.