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[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!Mourning Dove
Origin | The species is resident throughout the Greater Antilles, most of Mexico, the Continental United States, and southern Canada. The Mourning Dove also known as Turtledove, American Mourning Dove, or Rain Dove, and formerly was known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove. |
Size | This species can grow up to 12 in(30 cm) |
Lifespan | Can live up to 25 years |
Noise | Moderate, especially when kept in pairs or groups. |
Characteristics | Mourning doves have perching feet, with three toes forward and one reversed. The legs are short and reddish coloured. The beak is short and dark, usually a brown-black hue. The plumage is generally light grey-brown and lighter and pinkish below. The wings have black spotting, and the outer tail feathers are white, contrasting with the black inners. Below the eye is a distinctive crescent-shaped area of dark feathers. The eyes are dark, with light skin surrounding them. The adult male has bright purple-pink patches on the neck sides, with light pink colouring reaching the breast. The crown of the adult male is a distinctly bluish-grey colour. Females are similar in appearance, but with more brown colouring overall and a little smaller than the male. The iridescent feather patches on the neck above the shoulders are nearly absent, but can be quite vivid on males. Juvenile birds have a scaly appearance, and are generally darker |
Interaction/Time Requirements, Diet, Supplies Needed | They spend a considerable amount of time on the ground and require a wide area to walk around. Wire-bottomed cages are not desirable; also, the floor of the cage should be kept clean since they will be walking on it. The cage should also contain perches spaced widely enough for the bird to fly safely. They should be encouraged to eat a variety of greens and vegetables in addition to their seed diets. They swallow seeds whole and should be given access to grit to help digest the seeds. In winter, the birds suffer in cold and should not be placed near drafts; a heating pad or basking rock (such as those sold in pet stores for lizards) can be used as a supplemental heat source, and is greatly enjoyed by many pigeons/doves. |