Diamond Doves [geopelia cuneata] at BWF.

 

FACT FILE

The Diamond Dove [geopelia cuneata] is one of the smallest species of doves and kept more than any other foreign dove by Avian hobbyists. A native to northern and central Australia, they are found mainly in pairs and sometimes in small flocks. Feeding on grass seeds, they are seen running on the ground with a bobbing motion of their long tail and prefer open terrain close to a water source.

Diamond Doves are easily bred in captivity, being one of the best choices for the beginner to keep. First kept in Europe in 1870, they have been bred for so many generations they are considered semi-domesticated. As pets, they will reward you with their soft cooing, gentle nature, and if worked with from young, may even roost on your finger.

Diamond Doves are a small bird, about the size of a sparrow, ave. 7.5" long and weighing approx. 1.5 oz. The original or wild type is a slate gray and brown over the body. The shoulders are set off with small white dots. It is from these white dots that the "Diamond" comes from. The primary flight feathers are a rust-red edged in gray, showing a rufus flush in flight.

The outer tail feathers are a dark gray. They have red eyes encircled by a conspicuous fleshy red cere (being larger in the males). The hens tend to show more brown over the head, neck and upper body, with the eye ring being much smaller.

Their voice is a penetrating, gentle coo , often consisting of a single note.