ORIGIN

Eastern and southern Africa in dry savanna and open dry forest, cultivated and human- inhabited areas.

DIET

They feed exclusively on small seeds collected on the ground.

SPECIFIC FEATURES:

This species of the dove family has an exceptionally long tail which is almost solid black. When landing, it is frequently famed out for a brief moment.

Usually seen in small family parties or flocks of 4-1 5 birds. Runs swiftly on the ground in search of the small seeds that make up its diet. A fast flier, they may hover over a perch before landing. Aggression between males at breeding time may occur, otherwise a peaceful species.

REPRODUCTION:

A shallow platform constructed of roots, twigs, and coarse grasses is located in a low tree or shrub. The two, creamy white eggs are incubated for 13 days by both parents. The young leave the nest when around 16 days and have white speckling in their juvenile plumage. The sometimes fall over the edge of the rather flimsy nest and, if only a few days from fledging and no predators find them, will be raised where they fall until they can fly.

Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months. Full adult plumage will be obtained by about 6 months of age but will be fuller and brighter at one year.

Capes need an enclosure that gets plenty of direct sunshine with some overhead cover to provide shade and rain protection when they want it. Tall trees and shrubs planted around the perimeter will give both shade and nest sites. There should also be a large area of open dry ground where they will spend a great deal of time searching for food and taking sun and dust baths.

They may successfully be included in mixed collections of other small PEACEFUL dove species and finches. In smaller enclosures (less than 100 square feet), one breeding pair per flight is recommended but more may be kept in larger aviaries. They do not do well in small cages as their tails quickly become frayed and their faces battered on the wire.

DIET

A good quality parakeet mix with small millets added and turkey crumble make a good diet for capes. They prefer to feed directly off the ground and like most seed-eating doves will throw most of the seed out of a dish or hopper, then proceed to forage for it from the dirt. This habit encourages rodents to free-feed and their droppings mingled with the seed on the ground are a significant source of parasitic infestation in doves. Giving smaller rations more frequently in a tall-sided dish close to but off the ground is the keeper's best hedge against this problem.

No special diet is required during breeding.

BREEDING

Cape doves can be encouraged to nest in large wicker or wire canary nest cups. These may be hung on wire walls or attached in forks of trees and shrubs. They should be placed where they will have protection against sun and rain from overhead and where they will be safe from predators outside the enclosure (i.e. not hung on outside wire walls). Fine roots and twigs should be supplied for nest construction, no lining material being used.

Capes are reliable breeders and good parents. In smaller enclosures, adult males may begin to fight with juvenile cocks as they begin to color up which happens when they are around 4 months old. The process takes about two months to complete and they reach sexual maturity at 6 to 8 months of age.