Ringneck dove

[efinley]

I have a female ringneck dove that a neighbor gave me last June. I don't know much about them and would love to hear from you if you have experience with them. ANY ADVICE/INFO IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

Do you think she's happy being alone? I haven't been able to find a companion dove locally for her. We have her cage next to my 2 parakeets and that cheered her up a bit, but I still think she's not as happy as she could be...

 

[brekke69]

hi new dove owner. we recently aquired a male ringneck approximately 12 years old; his female passed away about 4 months ago. the previous owner had them for maybe 10 years. Fred has done very well in his transition to our house. he seems to be amazed with our chicken. he gets down on the floor and pecks for food and follows her around. his previous owner said he stayed up high and avoided humans when he was out of his cage. Fred has landed on Shim (chicken) and both of us. he sits on the arm of the couch and watches TV with us. he will eat shredded chedder or mozzerella cheese out of our hands (not much, just a few shreads as a treat). he has many different sounds. my nieces and nephews have mixed feelings about his 'laugh' - some think it is funny, some think it is creepy. he likes corn on the cob. he has been sitting on top the computer while i'm typing. i find him to be very courious yet cautious. i hope you enjoy your bird as well, Fred is very entertaining to us.

 

[elmo]

Here's a good resource:

http://www.dovepage.com/species/domestic/Ringneck/ringneckdove.html

You can keep a dove singly. They'll do fine without a companion. But ringneck doves are very common and it shouldn't be too hard to find a breeder in your area if you want to get another one. Just do a google search for doves and your city/town name.

 

[efinley]

brekke69: Fred sounds like a lot of fun to have!! I LOVE the dove laugh, it's awesome!! Although, I have to admit, it was unexpected.

Avery is nothing like Fred. She isn't too fond of people, she is tolerant but that's it. She will perch on one of our hands for a little but then flys (or attempts) off. She's an awful flyer and if we let her out of the cage she freaks out and flys out of control. She ends up hitting walls so I am too scared to have her out much or for long. (When someone goes to catch her and put her back she runs like a foot away laughing! It's funny)

Thanks for the info elmo! I've heard that a lot, that they are common and shouldn't have a problem finding a breeder...but it has been a problem! There aren't any close by and I don't want to stress one out by having him shipped!!

Avery has a large cage with many perches at different hieghts and 2 soft tunnel things that she adores as well as 2 loud parakeets for neighbors. Any suggestions what else we can do for her??

 

[elmo]

You could try putting a mirror in her cage and see if she likes it. Our male ringneck loves bowing and cooing to his own reflection.

 

[brekke69]

hi efinley,

it's been a while. do you still have your dove? we still have Fred. he has been a terror to one of our cats. as soon as the cat walks into the room Fred starts dancing and cooing at him. he will back Mopar into a corner SHOUTING his coos in Mopar's face. the poor old cat just sits there. don't worry he does have a defense - my 2 chickens, Shim and Kitiara. Mopar will get behind Shim to hide and Kitiara will kick at and yell at Fred to try to chase him away. don't worry about Fred getting hurt, it is mostly all for show, Kitiara has never actually touched Fred, she just shoos him away. also Fred steals, any small item will be taken to the top of the kitchen cabinets. i think it is good for your dove to have the parakeet neighbors. Fred's previous owner said he thought he would be dead by now. it must be all the action and other critters keeping him going. he must be about 15 years old by now.

 

[nolanrb]

Could you tell me what mutation all of these doves are I am new to ringneck doves and was wondering if you could help.