Check out my new African Laughing Doves

[peepsnbunnies]

They are so lovely!

A friend gave them to me. They were sold to him as a pair, but they have not laid any eggs yet. I do not know how to tell male from female, so I don't know if they are a pair or not. I will be putting a new nest box in there, so hopefully they will lay soon. Does anyone know how big the box should be? They make the cutest cooing sound, it is very quiet and kind of "dainty". The lovely dark spots on their chests are so pretty! I have them in a aviary that is 6ft X 3ft X 6ft high. They seem to be doing fine in their new house.

Lisa

 

[chickenzoo]

Very very pretty. Wish I could tell you, but this is the first I've seen of them.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Thanks Jen! They look so elegant to me. I have them in an aviary by themselves right now and it is outside. I have to find out how cold they can tolerate or if I need to move them inside during the cold part of the winter. Hoping someone who has them will chime in. I did look them up on the internet and most of what I read was pretty generic and did not answer a few questions I have. My friend also gave me a pair of Diamond Doves. They are cute and live with my Zebra finches, their coo sounds like a little flute. I just have all kinds of new stuff around here! Guess I need to change my sig line! Do you have doves? I have white ones too!

 

[theoldchick]

What an elegant bird!

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Thank-You! I am really enjoying the doves more and more. I have had the white doves for many years. These ones are more "petite" than white ones. They are not as vocal either. My whites talk a lot and I love hearing them.

Lisa

 

[Whispering Winds]

I think all Doves have that "peaceful" soothing look about them. Guess we know how the term "doves of peace" came into being.
Very pretty birds!!! I think I must have some . . .going to have to build a room on to the house . . .

 

[KateB39]

A rule od thumb for doves ..... 2 square feet per dove . 6 x 3 x 6x is plenty of room for your doves .

I have had doves for many years . I enjoyed having my doves . I started out with a foundlling in my back yard and ended up with over ten , a rat snake got into my dove house , ate all my eggs , chicks , and my breeder set , before I even knew it was there . I lost 7 birds that night , the snake didn't even eat them all , It killed 4 and left them in the bottom of the cage ,or my poor birds died of fright .
My last dove snowy died early this summer of old age , she was 12 years old . I miss having my doves and plan on getting more soon .
If you have any questions let me know , I would be happy to share any info with you . Mine were ringneck doves. Kate
I posted a link for you on the laughing dove .

Edit :
Male and female doves look the same .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Dove


If you do not know your doves age , you might want to check with the original owner to find out how long he or she had them , when they were bought and at what age they were when bought . This will give you a time line to guess their aprox. age .

The nest box should be big enough for your dove to turn 360 * a plastic milk jug with the front cut out , a wicker basket , or a card board box will do . The walls don't need to be high , about 3 to 4 inches deep , or even enough to keep the egg from rolling out 2 to 3 inches . Hay or dry grass , small twigs , for nesting materal .

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/Laughing_Dove.htm

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Thanks Kate!

My friend just made me a nest box for them. It is wooden, 7 1/2" X 7 1/2" X 3 1/2". I think that is big enough for them. I saved some grass after mowing and it is drying out and I have lots of pine needles in the yard and will gather some small twigs for them. Hopefully they will like these materials and will get energized and build a nest! But if not, that is O.K. too, I am pleased with just watching them while enjoying my morning coffee on the porch.

I love my white doves! They are so gregarious compared to these laughing doves. I had a similar tragedy several years ago with my whites. I went out looking around the yard late at night, which I frequently do - just checking on all my kids. I found my female white dove dead on the bottom of the aviary, that very day she had hatched a baby and there was another egg in the nest (I don't know if it was going to hatch or was a dud), I found a rat snake in the nest box! It had eaten the baby and the egg! I was sooooo mad!

Lisa

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Beautiful! If they ever happen to have babies and you get a few extras, I would love to buy a pair from you!

All I have are ringneck doves, in a few different colors.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Thanks Becky -

I will keep that in mind if we have babies. We will be having a lot of rain tomorrow, but I will be putting the nest box in as soon as I can.

Lisa