The Doves Page

Streptopelia risoria, Geopelia cuneata

Distribution:

All countries and continents have dove species except the Antarctic.

Size:

Most are small, (about 5 inches) but some, such as the Victoria crowned can reach lengths of 2 1/2 ft long.

Life-span:

12-15 years.

Diet:

Can be feed a finch, tiel, wild bird mix and some semi-soft dog food (should be processed and 1 tbl spoon added to seed daily. Doves also like cooked rice, leafy vegetables, peanut butter, grated cheese and mashed hard boiled eggs.

Sexing:

Males are usually a different color or pattern then females. Some species are so alike that DNA or surgical testing is the only true answer.

Maturity:

6-8 months in most species.

Clutch:

Most doves lay 2 eggs and some species only lay one. (Wild doves are notorious for infertile eggs).