Over the years, I have found many conflicting reports on the Diamond Dove song. I have even read that the Diamond Dove hen "does not coo". Well, unless my eyes, ears and video tape have deceived me.....she does indeed coo! Having received many requests about the Diamond Doves song, I thought I would try to share my observations. The following is my best effort to answer these questions and to explain that which is very hard to describe. This is purely my opinion, based on over 17 years of keeping and observing Diamond Doves, as well as hours of videotaped Diamond Dove behavior. Please keep in mind that I am trying to describe a sound by typing words. My hope is that from my descriptions, you will be able to recognize the patterns in the songs you hear from your Diamond Doves and better understand their meanings.

Diamond Doves are not a solitary bird; they have a great need for companionship and a desire to be in contact with their mate or partner, even if the partner is you. I always suggest that they are kept in pairs, even if it is two of the same sex. They are a highly sexed bird, with much of their time and communication centered around this need or drive. They are also monogamous, meaning that they mate for life, forming a strong bond with their companion. Their songs are an important part in forming this bond. I enjoy observing their communications which I find to fall into three basic categories. But I have also found as much subtle variety in their songs as there are individual birds and their reasons for communicating.

The Diamond Dove song usually consists of one note sung singly or repeated a few times. I feel most of the sounds they make can fall within three categories, mating song, companion contact and alarm. I will refer to two basic sounds that the Diamond Dove makes, the "coo" and the "laugh". The "coo" is the soft, almost sad note , usually longer in duration and sounding much like the Mourning Dove but higher in pitch. The "laugh" is usually a much shorter note in duration and more often repeated a few times than sung singly, sometimes getting a little raspy to a hiss-like sound.

I find that only the male Diamond Dove sings the mating song. This song is a full, deliberate "coo," usually repeated two or three times followed by a pause as if checking for response. Easily recognized, the male fills his chest, dips his head to the ground, wings parallel to the ground, flipping his tail skyward and fanning it open with a very direct, loud "coo". This entire display and sound is often repeated two to three times, followed by a pause, then started again.. This "coo" is so forceful it often has a slight raspy overtone to it. The male will try to be close to or beside the intended hen during this display. I also find if the hen moves away uninterested, this "coo" can be followed by a short "laughing," an obvious frustration to the lack in response from the hen.

The companion contact "coo" is sung by both males and females. This is a calmer, almost casual "coo," often consisting of one note, repeated twice, like a "hoo-hoo" pause "hoo-hoo." You will see the throat fill with air slightly for this sound; often no other body change will be observed. My birds are often perched at a clam rest when calling to each other this way. I feel the purpose for this song is mainly recognition, saying "I'm here and all is well." I find it used from male to female or female to male when they are in different parts of the cage or flight. I have observed this "coo" from the hen, when I feel it was directed to the chicks in eggs close to hatching, and Yes, I do believe I have heard the chicks peeping from the egg a day or two before hatching. When the young are close to fledging, the parents are often starting the nesting ritual for the next laying. Sitting close by, the parents periodically "coo," letting the young know all is well. I also find it used from greater distances. Some of my cages are separated by a few rooms, and I have observed an exchange of the "cooing" from a bird from one room to another. The pattern and response show an obvious communication taking place. Possibly neighbors saying hello and reassuring everyone that all is well.

The alarm song is what I call the "laughing." It is sung by both males and females, and I find there is almost always a source of surprise, alarm, discomfort or frustration when this song is used. It is usually a much shorter note, often repeated many times. I feel the shorter duration of this note is probably harder for a predator to focus onto, making it harder to locate the Diamond Dove. This song can vary from very short "coos" to a much more raspy, almost hissing sound. I find it to vary greatly in intensity, sound and meaning depending on the wide variety of perceptions or events the bird is reacting to. As mentioned before, I have observed this song from a younger male after displaying the mating song a few times to an uninterested female, almost as a personal frustration to the lack of response to his hard work. (It is not uncommon to also observe masturbation by the frustrated male at this time.) My birds will often express this song if they hear me approaching but can't see me yet, especially if they are on eggs or have young, but quickly stop once I am in their view. A startled hen will often leave a nest with eggs, moving far away from the nest, displaying as if injured to attract the threat away from the nest area while singing this alarm song to others. The most intense and directed use I have observed is when I have approached a female, that is not familiar to me, sitting on eggs. As I reach to the nest, she refuses to move, puffs up appearing larger, striking at my hand with her wing while sounding a single, sharp, raspy hiss with each strike.

Oh, and not to belittle the little ones. There is the "peeping" of the chicks and young. Loosely translated, this means: Feed Me, Feed Me, I'm Hungry, I'm Cold, I Want Attention, Feed Me, Feed Me, I'm The Most Important Thing In Your Life, FEED ME!

Here is an interesting description I have heard many times over the years with some minor variations. "I have a Diamond Dove as a pet. I keep it indoors in a cage. When I get home from work it coos and coos, getting louder and louder. Then it kind of laughs with a raspy sound then starts up again. It stops when I come into the room and it sees me. Is my bird OK?" Again, this is my opinion, but yes your bird is OK. You are keeping a pet that craves a companion or mate. With no other alternative available, you are it. The birds has selected you to bond with. The Doves hearing ability is great. I feel they can learn to recognize the sounds leading up to their companion entering their room or view. Upon hearing the car door, keys in a lock, etc., sounds associated with seeing and interacting with its companion, the Dove will start the happier companion or even mating song, getting louder and louder as it greatly desires seeing you. When you don't react quickly enough to its liking, it gets frustrated and voices its dissatisfaction by the raspy alarm song. Still hearing you about the house, it will start again, trying to lure or entice you to it. How can you possibly not want its companionship as much as it does yours? So, next time your Diamond Dove is calling out to you, think about what it is really saying and see if you can answer it before it cusses you.

With patience and observation, you can really get to know and understand your Diamond Doves. They have wonderful and varied personalities and can offer a great deal of enjoyment to their keepers.

Jeff Downing