Looking for a new pet to add to your family and thinking about getting a bird? Parrots, like budgies or cockatiels, are the first option most people think of. However, it’s important to keep in mind that parrots are boisterous and louder than most people can handle! That’s why we’d like to bring to your attention a different and oft overlooked option: doves as pets.
It may sound silly—who keeps a pigeon in the house?!—but doves are actually quieter, more cuddly, and generally easier to handle than parrots. You can bond with a dove like you would with a parrot, but without running the risk of being bitten or receiving noise complaints from the neighbors.
Below, Kate K9 Pet Care takes a look at our 5 favorite species of doves to keep as pets.
Common or rock pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Yes, we’re really starting off with that flying city pest, the common pigeon. A descendant of the wild rock dove—the term “dove” is not official and therefore pretty loosely applied—this species is widely despised, but does it really deserve its bad reputation? We think not. Although the large numbers of feral pigeons found in cities can get pretty annoying, these birds actually make great pets. Not just in outdoor pigeon houses, but inside our homes as well!
It may come as a surprise, but pigeons are highly social birds that can form a strong bond with their owner. They’re generally calm and quite affectionate, happy to snuggle up on their owner’s shoulder or lap. Their low noise levels make them a much better choice for most households than parrots, and they’re also cheaper to feed since they do well on basic seeds and grains. Lastly, there are endless different domestic pigeon varieties to choose from! Our favorites are called Old German Owls; they’re well-known for their white bodies, colored wings, stubby beaks and the most adorable little crest.
The only disadvantage of keeping a pigeon in the house is their size. They’re definitely larger than the other dove species on this list. A cage measuring at least 40″ in width is a good idea, although your bird should also be allowed to roam freely around the house for a few hours a day. Pigeon diapers do exist, so it should be possible to limit the amount of poop strewn about the place.
Diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata)
A dove the size of a budgie? Yes, it exists, and you can keep one as a pet! The striking diamond dove is easy to recognize by its bright orange eyes and eyerings, as well as the pretty white speckling on its gray wings. Naturally found in Australia, this species is appreciated by bird enthusiasts for its gentle nature and pleasant cooing calls.
If you’re interested in keeping diamond doves, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re not quite as snuggly as some of the other species on this list, like the aforementioned common pigeon. With the exception of hand-raised specimens, most aren’t big cuddle bugs. Although a diamond dove is unlikely to bite—and its small beak wouldn’t deliver much of a peck anyway—they can be a little skittish and many prefer being mostly left alone.
Diamond doves have been popular in the pet trade for a while now. The usual result of this is the appearance of many different selectively bred color varieties within a species, and Geopelia cuneata is no exception. Aside from their lovely natural gray, these birds can now be found in shades of white, mottled brown, lutino, and more.
Ringneck or Barbary dove (Streptopelia risoria)
As far as keeping doves as pets is concerned, the ringneck dove is probably the most popular choice. In fact, biologists doubt that this pigeon exists in the wild. Although it currently holds full species status under the scientific name Streptopelia risoria, it’s strongly suspected that it is in fact a domesticated variety of the African collared dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea. If this is true, its natural habitat would stretch from the African Sahel to eastern Africa and the Arab Peninsula. It’s not clear when the species was domesticated, but it appears to have been around in its current form for at least a few hundred years.
If you’ve never owned birds before, the Barbary dove may make a good choice for you. These gentle animals don’t grow quite as large as common pigeons, but are bigger, less fragile, and considerably more sociable than the aforementioned diamond dove. They have long lifespans (up to 20 years!), are relatively quiet, and can become hand-tame and rather fond of cuddles. The only thing that bothers some owners is the almost incessant soft cooing.
Like diamond doves, the Barbary dove has been selectively bred by pigeon-fanciers over the years into a variety of different colors and patterns. Aside from the classic gray with a black collar, the white dove is the most common. You may also find “rosy” (dusty brown), “pied” (mottled), and “peach” (soft brown on white) specimens at your local breeder.
Cape dove (Oena capensis)
How beautiful is the delicate Cape dove, Oena capensis?! It reminds us almost of a plover, although it’s completely unrelated to those shorebirds. The only species in its genus, the Cape dove is found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab Peninsula. Like the diamond dove, it’s very small—its weight of 40 grams makes it comparable in size to a large budgie.
Cape doves aren’t all too common, but dedicated pigeon-fanciers may keep this species in their aviaries. That doesn’t mean it’s not suitable as a house pet, though. In fact, given its rather toasty natural habitat, it may do better indoors than in the average outdoor aviary. You’re best off trying to find a hand-raised specimen: tame Cape doves are generally quiet and calm. You may even find a cuddly specimen (or pair!).
Zebra dove (Geopelia striata)
Although it’s naturally found in Southeast Asia, the zebra dove is also a well-known sight in Hawaii, where feral birds have managed to firmly establish themselves. This is mostly the result of the bird trade: escaped and released birds found the tropical climate more than accommodating, and quickly started reproducing.
Zebra doves, like the aforementioned Cape dove, are more popular as aviary birds than as house pets. Again, though, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep one in your home. You just need to provide a roomy cage (zebra doves are almost twice as large as diamond doves, for example) and be sure to interact with your bird(s) on a daily basis to keep them tamed.
Tip: Doves are ground foragers that, in the wild, find their favorite foods (seeds and grains) on the floor. As such, they appreciate plenty of ground space in their cage to peck through. Do provide plenty of perches as well, though!
Doves as pets: Conclusion
Although you may never have considered them as an option before, the five different species of doves discussed above actually make great pets. Common pigeons and Barbary doves in particular are easy to tame, generally cuddly, and not too loud, making them a better choice for most family than parrots.
Which dove species is your favorite?
