ORIGIN:

Woodlands, dry forest, open savanna of Africa.

DIET:

Feeds on small and large seeds that it collects on the ground and which, Re all doves, it swallows whole without hulling.

SPECIFIC FEATURES:

A large species, measuring some 12 inches overall. Despite the size, one of the calmest and peaceful of the family. Monomorphic and monochromatic. Males are distinguished by their courting activity which includes a typical bowing wherein the chest is puffed and the bill is touched to the ground while cooing rhythmically.

The most commonly kept dove species, it has become fully domesticated and is now available in many established color mutations including white, silver, fawn, tangerine, apricot, and blends of these in pied forms. The best species for use as foster parents for some of the more delicate or rare dove species as they will successfully raise all other species' young.

REPRODUCTION:

Rather sloppy construction of rootlets and twigs which often fails to hold the eggs and/or chicks to fledging. May choose a site in thick shrubbery or on a rock ledge. Two white or cream colored eggs are incubated by both parents and the young fledge, looking much like the adults, after 16-18 days. They reach sexual maturity around 5 months of age.

IN CAPTIVITY

HABITAT DESIGN:

Being a domesticated species, ring-necks will live and breed under most any circumstances. They may be kept in cages, however their feathers quickly become soiled and ruffed unless the dimensions are quite large (3x3x3 feet minimum). They are better in aviaries where they can get the exercise they need and their naturally tame attributes can best be enjoyed.

They do not damage foliage, but their droppings can collect on large or densely positioned leaves and frequent washing is necessary for health and aesthetic considerations.

They should have access to direct sunshine several hours of each day, always making sure they can get out of it when they want to. They are also fond of dust baths. Their habit of laying on one side with an outstretched wing has caused many a keeper to panic, thinking the bird was injured.

DIET:

Ring-necks are exclusively seed eaters. They can be fed a mixture of millets, cracked com, hulled oats, hemp, wheat, or commercial dove mixes. They may also be fed on the pelleted formulas now available from feed dealers. Turkey crumble is sometimes offered and they take this readily. Grit is essential when a seed diet is being fed as doves do not hull their seeds before swallowing and the grit helps pulverize the seeds in the gizzard for better digestion.

BREEDING:

Ring-necks are very good parents ... they just can't build a nest. In the wild they usually nest on a ledge or in a dense bush which helps hold the nest together. In captivity they should be provided with a wicker basket about 6 inches in diameter and one or two inches deep. They will breed as single pairs, the best means of controlling the gene pool when breeding for color, but they will work in colonies or mixed collections just as well.

The diet during breeding remains the same as the rest of the year. Some individuals will take a small amount of green food, but this seems not to be required.

If they are to be used for fostering, the eggs of the donor species should be approximately the same size and be due to hatch about the same time. They will only raise two chicks per nest, so their own eggs must be discarded.