Broader Horizons

White Ring-neck Doves or Love Doves

Introduction

Domestic Ring-neck Doves (Streptopelia risoria  have been bred in captivity for about 2,000 years. This group includes the Turtle Doves, the Magician Doves, the doves of the bible... In the United States there are several populations from escaped cage birds in several cities.  They are very popular as cage birds.

There are many Streptopelia doves world wide, and this dove is closely related to cousins in Europe and Africa.   The Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and the African species (Streptopelia roseogrisea) are very similar.  The African species has a melodic “coo” sound and its plumage is a nice creamy brown. All three have a thin black collar around the neck and build a small nest of twigs -- and in an aviary or cage should be provided with a small bowl to nest in.  They lay 2 eggs and both parents incubate the eggs and then brood and feed the young. 

The Domestic Ring-neck Dove comes in many colors, and these are a good choice for beginning dove keepers.  They make excellent pets and may be kept in small indoor cages or larger garden aviaries. A good diet consists of a  mixture of canary, finch, and other small seeds along with some game bird crumbles and of course grit and lots of fresh water. 

Love Doves are really pure white Ring-neck doves, and they are also known as the Domestic Doves, Laughing Doves, Collared Doves, Barbary Doves and Turtle Doves. Despite the many common names, the scientific name is (Streptopelia risoria). These are the doves of the Bible, native to North Africa, Somalia, and Arabia. These are the familiar doves of magicians. They are perfect as a caged bird pet.

Doves can live several years; they are not considered old until about 5 years or more and in captivity have been known to live and still be producing young at 17 years of age!