Diamond Dove

• ExerciseLow

  Content with perch-hopping and a little out-of-cage time.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment10–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Egg binding · Obesity

The Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) is one of the smallest doves in the world, a native of the dry interior of Australia only slightly bigger than a large finch, soft blue-grey with white-spotted wings and a bright orange-red eye-ring. It weighs just 30-40 g and lives 10-15 years, offering all the serenity of a dove in a tiny package. Diamond doves are gentle, calm and undemanding, with a soft, repetitive coo that most people find soothing rather than noisy. They are not natural perch-sitters for handling, but hand-raised birds can become quite tame, and they mix peacefully in aviaries with finches and other small, gentle species; a bonded pair will happily raise young. Feed a small-seed and dove or finch mix supplemented with sprouted seed, fine greens and a source of grit, since doves swallow seed whole and need grit to grind it, plus cuttlebone for calcium. They forage on the ground, so floor space and cleanliness matter. Give a roomy cage or aviary, a dry draught-free spot and a calm environment, and these little diamond-dusted doves are among the easiest, most peaceful birds to keep.

• How much activity does a Diamond Dove need?

  Low. Content with perch-hopping and a little out-of-cage time.

• How much feather care does a Diamond Dove need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Diamond Dove need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Diamond Dove a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Diamond Dove live?

  10–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Diamond Dove?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Egg binding, Obesity. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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