I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of the people who participated in this census of Pigeons and Doves kept in the various regions. Your generosity in taking the time to write down and mail in the names and numbers needed is greatly appreciated. My thanks also go out to those who helped in the collection and compilation of the information and in getting it reported back to others.

This is my first attempt at this form of census. I was very pleased with the participation by the association members and private breeders, but quickly learned of many avenues that need to be explored and taken advantage of for future collections. "Future collections" yes, I plan to collect numbers again at the end of this year (numbers to represent "Birds kept as of the end of December of 2000), and then again every five years. Sources to be polled will include those utilized in this census, The A.D.A. membership, The C.D.A. membership, The P. & D. Society of the U.K. membership. Some of the major Bird Magazines will be sought to get the information out to as many non-member keepers as possible. A majority of the Zoos and public collections throughout the participating regions will be polled. And, other areas or regions of the world will be sought to participate. Contact and offers of help have already been received from Germany, Australia and South Africa. Anyone having contacts, information or the will to help, please feel free to contact me.

Summary of the methods of collection and numbers reported:

John Horton of the P. & D. Society of the U.K. started collecting information in 1998. Some 60 private keepers reported back. He also received tremendous response from all of the European Federation Zoos and many of the British non-Federation Zoos and bird collections. A total of 5242 birds were reported. With the additional reporting from Zoos, a much wider variety and larger number of the Wild and Foreign Doves is seen. Their numbers were split at about 4% Diamond Doves, 2% Ringneck Doves and 94% Wild & Foreign Doves. In November of 1999 some 400 requests were sent to the A.D.A. membership and known private keepers in the U.S. requesting numbers to be reported on birds in collections as of December 31, 1999. 118 private individuals responded reporting 5630 birds kept. Their numbers were split at about 18% Diamond Doves, 47% Ringneck Doves and 35% Wild & Foreign Doves. With no Zoos or Universities contacted, larger variety and numbers are seen in Diamond Doves and Ringneck Doves kept, though there are considerable numbers of Wild and Foreign Doves kept by private keepers. In January of 2000 some 60 requests were sent out to the C.D.A. membership requesting numbers on birds kept as of December 31, 1999. 23 people responded reporting 931 birds kept. The Canadian numbers were also results of birds kept by private keepers with no Zoos or Universities contacted. Their numbers were split at about 18% Diamonds Doves, 39% Ringneck Doves and 43% Wild & Foreign Doves. Looking at the total birds reported, the numbers were split at about 11% Diamond Doves, 27% Ringneck Doves and 62% Wild & Foreign Doves. Care was taken to report those birds kept within the three regions listed and to represent the birds only once.

A total of 18 varieties of Diamond Dove are listed including A.O.C., with 1342 birds kept. Within the varieties of Diamond Doves, the largest numbers are seen in the Blue or Wild Type Diamond Dove. Strong numbers are also seen in the Blue White Tails and White Rumps and the Silver White Tails and White Rumps. Low numbers are seen in the Snow-White, Ocher and Peach Diamond Doves. A total of 59 varieties of Ringneck Doves are listed including A.O.C., with 3153 birds kept. Within the varieties of Ringneck Doves, the largest numbers are seen in the White Ringneck Dove. Strong numbers are also seen in the Wild Type, Fawn and Tangerine Pearled. A total of 133 different Wild and Foreign Doves are listed with a total of 7307 birds kept. Within the Wild and Foreign Doves kept, the Senegal or Laughing Dove is by far the most kept throughout the regions. Europe also reported high numbers in the Rock Dove. Strong numbers are also seen in the Green-winged Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove, Zebra Dove, Common Bronzewing Dove, Cape (Masked) Dove, Nicobar Pigeon, Triangular Spotted (Speckled) Pigeon, European Turtle Dove and the Crested Bronzewing Pigeon.

Of the World's rarest pigeon or dove, the Socorro or Grayson's dove (Zenaida graysoni), a total of 41 birds were reported. As this bird is no longer found in the wild, it is frightening how low the numbers are in collections. I strongly urge the cooperation among experienced breeders in sharing birds and bloodlines to increase the Socorros numbers.