Diamond doves (Geopelia cuneata)

 What is a Dove or Pigeon? I find it necessary to explain these terms. "Dove" and "Pigeon" are the same and interchangeable, describing members of the same family of birds. They often define each other; "Dove" being the smaller species of pigeon and "Pigeon" being the larger species of dove. A popular distinction uses "Pigeon" to describe the larger species of dove having a white cere across the top of the beak and "Dove" to describe the smaller species of dove without the cere. In any case lets discuss Doves a little further. All doves and non-domestic pigeons are species, with there being over 300 different ones found to inhabit every continent except the Antarctic. They are unique to most other birds in the way they drink. Doves can dip their beaks into water and suck it up like a pump. Most other birds scoop a small amount into their lower beak and tilt their heads back to swallow.

The Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) is one of the smallest species of doves and are 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.