Ringneck Dove Behavioral Problems

[Faverolle Lover]

Hi, I have two ringneck doves that are both one year old a month ago. They're siblings, and I'm very sure one is a boy and not sure about the other one. I couldn't find a new home for the boy and so I released him early afternoon into my neighborhood. A friend down the street had two escape and they are still alive over one year later and after the crazy Idaho winter we had and they're thriving with the wild doves. Because of that, I thought I'd give it a try, but he returned to me front porch long after sunset. I felt a lot of pity for him and relief that he knew where the food was but slightly annoyed that he wouldn't leave me alone. So I shrugged that off and put him back with his sis/bro. Immediately he started cooing & bowing (the mating ritual for males as I've heard) and after a few minuets of that he started making this high-pitched laughing sound and trying to peck her/his eye and biting and pulling on his/her neck feathers. My questions are these:

What in the world was that laughing and pecking about because I've never heard about it anywhere?

And are they too bonded to each other to be separated? I've heard that some animals would die if that happened.

One other thing is that before I got the idea of relocating him, he often would peck at her/him if he/she came anywhere near the water. Now I haven't gotten any eggs yet but I know that it took their parents a while to lay any too, so could it be a genetic thing?

Also, any clues as to the other's gender? It had cooed on occasion but it either just makes the sound (no movement) or it leans forward and flutters it's wings a bit. It laughs too, but only when it looses it's footing for a second or just gets set down on something.

--the whole thing about setting the other one free is that it would almost always flinch when I came near and so he already seemed pretty wild to me.

Please, any help or even the slightest of answers to any of my questions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[jak2002003]

It is very cruel and also illegal to release domesticated and none native birds into the wild, even if you have see other people do it does not make it right.

Your dove is cooing and laughing and pecking at the other dove... this is normal behaviour for these doves and is part of the courtship display of males.

Please rehome your doves if you don't want them and not abandon them. If you do keep them do some reading on the net about their basic care needs and behaviour please.

Your dove coming back to your house shows that is can not find food or shelter for itself. Imagine if you did not see it there... and a cat or predator got it in the night.

 

[Faverolle Lover]

I know it's been a while but I decided to update the situation. Dusty (that's his name) is now living happily on my street, and he already has raised two babies and I saw his wife (a ringneck-morning dove hybrid, she's gorgeous) carrying nesting material into a pine tree. They come by often and like to perch on my chicken coops and they're such a cute couple!

 

[jak2002003]

(a ringneck-morning dove hybrid, she's gorgeous) carrying nesting material into a pine tree. They come by often and like to perch on my chicken coops and they're such a cute couple!

I am happy the dove is not dead. However, I am seriously worried about what you have done, releasing a domesticated, alien, potentially invasive species into the ecosystem where it does not belong. Already you say its produced young, which are going to be hybrid species with you native mourning doves. These will go on to produced more hybrid birds, endangering your native mourning doves species in the long term.

It is totally irresponsible to release none native animals into the wild, as well as illegal. Basically you were too lazy to keep it as a pet yourself and provide the care it needed, and you were not bothered in finding it another home... so you just abandoned it into the wild, like some many people do with unwanted cats, dogs and other pets. I can't say I agree with what you have done at all, sorry.

 

[Faverolle Lover]

I am happy the dove is not dead. However, I am seriously worried about what you have done, releasing a domesticated, alien, potentially invasive species into the ecosystem where it does not belong. Already you say its produced young, which are going to be hybrid species with you native mourning doves. These will go on to produced more hybrid birds, endangering your native mourning doves species in the long term.

It is totally irresponsible to release none native animals into the wild, as well as illegal. Basically you were too lazy to keep it as a pet yourself and provide the care it needed, and you were not bothered in finding it another home... so you just abandoned it into the wild, like some many people do with unwanted cats, dogs and other pets. I can't say I agree with what you have done at all, sorry.

I am 100% aware of what I did; I gave a beloved pet the chance to live instead of being killed. I had no other options besides those two. I am also aware of my introducing a foreign animal to a new environment, but I am not a child and I did not abandon him, I have given him the best life I could've, and I am confident that it was all I could do. I could not keep another bird where I was living, and the only other option was to seal him on a box where I knew I would never see him leave. I am personally glad that he had started a life that I could never have offered him, and I regret nothing that I have done with this beautiful bird that will always have a place in my heart.
I thank you for your and others' opinions on this issue, and I also want to inform you that what I did was not illegal in my area, nor have anyone in my area had any difficulties when it came to the beautiful birds that call our trees their home.
Thank you all for your earnest opinions, and I hope you have a good day.

 

[Nixwix]

I am happy the dove is not dead. However, I am seriously worried about what you have done, releasing a domesticated, alien, potentially invasive species into the ecosystem where it does not belong. Already you say its produced young, which are going to be hybrid species with you native mourning doves. These will go on to produced more hybrid birds, endangering your native mourning doves species in the long term.

It is totally irresponsible to release none native animals into the wild, as well as illegal. Basically you were too lazy to keep it as a pet yourself and provide the care it needed, and you were not bothered in finding it another home... so you just abandoned it into the wild, like some many people do with unwanted cats, dogs and other pets. I can't say I agree with what you have done at all, sorry.

Agreed. OP, you are a moron.

 

[Nixwix]

I am 100% aware of what I did; I gave a beloved pet the chance to live instead of being killed. I had no other options besides those two. I am also aware of my introducing a foreign animal to a new environment, but I am not a child and I did not abandon him, I have given him the best life I could've, and I am confident that it was all I could do. I could not keep another bird where I was living, and the only other option was to seal him on a box where I knew I would never see him leave. I am personally glad that he had started a life that I could never have offered him, and I regret nothing that I have done with this beautiful bird that will always have a place in my heart.
I thank you for your and others' opinions on this issue, and I also want to inform you that what I did was not illegal in my area, nor have anyone in my area had any difficulties when it came to the beautiful birds that call our trees their home.
Thank you all for your earnest opinions, and I hope you have a good day.

Dude, you, are, a moron. This is no keyboard warrior crap, I'd say it to your face and a hell of a lot more. What a disgrace you are. You have an animal, no matter what, you make changes so they live a happy and healthy life. Why did you not build another aviary for him?
I rescued a beautiful dove and had to renovate my bloody house so he has one full side and my dogs have another. It is your duty to do whatever you can, not just discard the poor thing. People like you traumatise me and make this world a shitty place. Animals and humans are one.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Dude, you, are, a moron. This is no keyboard warrior crap, I'd say it to your face and a hell of a lot more. What a disgrace you are. You have an animal, no matter what, you make changes so they live a happy and healthy life. Why did you not build another aviary for him?
I rescued a beautiful dove and had to renovate my bloody house so he has one full side and my dogs have another. It is your duty to do whatever you can, not just discard the poor thing. People like you traumatise me and make this world a shitty place. Animals and humans are one.

The OP hasn’t been on BYC since 2020.

 

[Nixwix]

The OP hasn’t been on BYC since 2020.

Just noticed that. I'm a bit late to the party.

 

[CCsGarden]

I'm here always here if anyone needs help.