Dove recently aggressive

[Hellohato]

Hello , I have a 4 month old turtle dove that I raised from a chick. It was abandoned after a horrible storm and there are no rehabbers in my area. I don't know if it's male or female. It was very easy to handle until recently. It's started pecking me aggressively and hooting when I movey hand towards him. He's perfectly happy to eat from my hand and even sleep on me or next to me but to longer allows me to touch or pet him like I used to. Is this something that can be corrected? Is he afraid of me now?

 

[backyard pigeons]

It's likely reaching maturity and wanting freedom\a mate. Would it be possible for you to get another dove for it? Hope this helps!

Oh and welcome to byc!

 

[Hellohato]

Hi thanks for responding! I can't get it a mate as it's technically not allowed to have him since he's a so called wild bird even though I tried to release him and it didn't work. I can't get another dove for him

 

[Table4Six]

Hi thanks for responding! I can't get it a mate as it's technically not allowed to have him since he's a so called wild bird even though I tried to release him and it didn't work. I can't get another dove for him

As much as I'm sure he loves his human companions, doves, like many birds, are social animals, he really would be better off and happier with a mate. Is it not even possible to get a domesticated breed of dove?

 

[Hellohato]

I'm living in another country at the moment and doves aren't super easy to find. I don't even know if it's a boy or girl and can't introduce another bird that could likely get rejected unfortunately. I try to spend a lot of time with him as I don't work till afternoon most days. I wish I could do more for him. He seems to be content and hated being outside by himself
when I tried to release him

 

[Hellohato]

Maybe if I settle down here I could but until I have my own house and can build an aviary I don't really have any more room.

 

[biophiliac]

I have no idea why your dove pecks aggressively but I can tell you my hand raised pigeon began to peck VERY aggressively when he grew up. He's not the slightest bit scared of me, flys to me, grabs my clothes or skin and tugs hard with an extra painful twist if he gets a bite of skin. Yet I can pet him or hold him - even he will lay still on my hand on his back like a dead bird. lol I have tried to break him of the biting by grabbing his beak and holding on for a bit while he struggles to get loose. No good, he comes right back ready to do battle again. It appears he enjoys the game too much. I recommend gloves.


and...

 

[Hellohato]

That's so funny it's like a dog playing tug of war! Haha thanks everyone. I guess I will have to wait and see how it goes

 

[backyard pigeons]

Perhaps he will grow out of it. Good advice @biophiliac , gloves!

 

[jak2002003]

What country are you living in that does not have pet shops?

You can get a ring neck domesticated dove for company for your one, but I guess you are now seeing why keeping a wild bird as a pet is not a good idea.

Maybe release your bird as if it seems not happy. Don't just let it go outside. Do a soft release style. Have the cage outdoors a few day so it gets used to its surroundings. Then let it out but leave food and water in the cage so it can go in and out itself a few more days. Have feed in the garden to attract wild doves so it can get socialised with them. Eventually it will make its own way in the world.

Make sure the cage is protected from the elements and predators like cats.