Pets

Doves and pigeons are essentially the same with the names able to be used interchangeably. More commonly among enthusiasts, the term “dove” is used to describe the smaller species.  When most people think of “pigeons” they picture the feral rock pigeon that is frequently seen in parks scavenging through rubbish.

Pigeons and doves have stout birds, short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy swelling at the base of their beak called a “cere”.

For thousands of years pigeons have been used domestically by mankind, as couriers, or messages and medicine.  Nowadays, they are no longer used often as messengers, but their homing ability still results in many enthusiasts keeping them as hobby animals.  The white dove as a symbol of hope remains ever popular, and is often seen being released at weddings, or peace themed events.  (Editor – usualythey are homing doves and they shortly thereafter find their way home after being released.)

Doves and pigeons make excellent pets due to their attractive, quiet, unobtrusive natures.  Their gentle cooing is calming(compare with a cockatoo’s raucous cry) gentle voice, are very tameable, healthy and hardy,.  They are active but not demanding of exercise and attention and are easy to breed.

They can be kept as companion animals, as hobby animals that can be trained to “home” or in an aviary.

African Collared Dove

African Mourning Dove

Band-tailed Pigeon

Bar-shouldered Dove

Barbary Dove

Barred Dove

Black-billed Wood Dove

Blue Ground Dove

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