Doves

All doves are monogamous and proverbially "loving" to their
mates. Their nests are flimsy affairs, consisting of not more
than a few twigs laid loosely in the bough of a tree, and the
clutch is very small, mostly just two eggs. These are usually
a silvery white, but occasionally brown or lightly colored.
In the majority of species, both cock and hen build the nest
and share in the incubation of the eggs; the hen sitting during
the night, the cock during the day. The incubation period vaires
from 14 to 19 days and the young are born with closed eyes.
They stay in the nest another 12 to 18 days, and are fed with
a substance know as "pigeon milk".

All doves have an unusual method of drinking. While nearly every
other bird takes a beakful of water and raises the head to allow
it to run into the throat, doves take water in a long draft similar
in manner to a horse. They feed mainly on seeds, berries, and other
fruits, but also insects; they may travel several miles from the
nest in search of food for their young. They posses a fairly
muscular body, thickly covered with feathers which are, however,
quite loosely implanted. This is why feathers easily fall out of
a dead bird. In addition to the domestic pigeon, which developed
from the rock dove, there are a number of exotic doves frequently
kept in cages and aviaries. Especially suitable is the Barbary
or domestic ringdove. It has a tame nature, is easy to care for,
and is a ready breeder. It is hardened to our climate and can be
kept in an outdoor aviary year round. It is perfectly safe to
keep together with even the smallest of other birds. It is
intolerant only of its own species; the male can be particularly
aggressive to each other. You can keep a pair in the house; if
you do, invest in a cage approximately 5 feet long 23 1/2 inches
deep and 35 1/2 inches high, and allow the birds to exercise daily
in the room. For nesting, you can supply a tray, approxmately
8 by 4 inches and a few inches high. Nest materials can be given
in the form of twigs and straw.

They are name that refers to the smaller members of the larger
members of the pigeon and dove family. The name pigeon refers
to the larger member of the family. Doves live in temperate
and tropical regions throughout the world.

Doves have plump bodies and small heads. They grow from 6 to 12
inches long and weigh from 1 to 9 ounces. they fly rapidly and
have low cooing voices. They make a nice bird for your outdoor
avairy. They attract many other types of birds. They are the
bird that most relates to PEACE.

Some of your popular Doves are Diamond Doves and Ring Neck
Doves.

PROPER DIET-An excellant seed mixture of fine grains and seeds.
This consistsof a mixture of 25%-canary-grass seed, 25%-white
millet, 20%-red millet, 10%-niger-thistle seed, 10%-sesame seed,
5%-wheat and 5%-poppy They eat a variety of fruit, grain
insects and nut. Vegetables also. Doves prefer covered dishes.