|
|
|
| SPECIES
INFORMATION - RINGNECK DOVE |
|
Description:
The
Ringneck Dove is easily the most commonly kept dove
in captivity. This domesticated bird (Streptopelia
risoria) descends from the African Ring Dove (Streptopelia
roseogrisea). This bird is about 12" from tail to
head. The original wild coloring is quite beautiful
as are the over Forty
aknowledged color mutations/combinations.
The Wild colored bird has brown and grey feathers
on the back and wings with a rich rose colored head
and breast and a black neck ring.
|
|
|
Other Names:
|
Collared
Dove, Barbary Dove, Domestic Ringed Dove |
|
| Subspecies: |
None |
|
| Natural
Habitat: |
Only
in captivity.
|
|
| Status
in Wild: |
This species is kept only in captivity but is thought
to descend from the African Ring Dove. |
|
| IN
CAPTIVITY |
|
| Housing: |
Ringnecks
can be kept and bred in cages as small as 2 feet square.
Males
tend to be quarrelsome with other males so it is best
to keep them in single pairs. |
|
| Temperatures: |
Ringnecks
are a hardy bird. If slowly acclimated and protected
from the elements, they can take below freezing for
a moderate period of time. |
|
| Feeding: |
Ringneck doves
do well on a diet of various grains and seeds including
millet, milo, wheat, black sunflower, canary grass,
safflower and cracked corn. A quality wild bird seed
mix is excellent, or commercial dove mixes may be purchased
from many local feed stores. As with all seed-eating
doves a quailty, high-calcium grit should be offered
as well. |
|
| Breeding: |
CLICK
HERE for notes on breeding Ringneck Doves by Wade
Oliver. |
|
| Numbers: |
Ringnecks
are surely the most commonly kept dove in the world.
Estimating a number would be impossible and would likely
be in the hundreds of thousands worldwide. |
|
|
