Diamond Dove

[Frances P]

I wonder if anyone can help me identify this little bird which has been visiting our bird feeders in Lancaster for the past week or so. I attach photos, although it was very hard to get close enough for a good shot. To me it resembles a very small dove (although the farmer next door swears it is a warbler of some kind!). It is pale grey on the head and breast, with slightly darker grey upper wings. The most striking feature is the scarlet eyes and/or eye rim. The tail is quite long and slightly pointed. It is not as big as a blackbird, and considerably smaller than the collared dove that also visits us, but it has the same meandering walk as a pigeon or dove.

It doesn't look or behave as though it is accustomed to our climate up here in Lancashire. It was huddled on the washing line with feathers fluffed up as though to keep warm. Perhaps it escaped from an aviary? Or could it have been blown in from warmer climates?

There are 4 photos of the bird listed under 'Small grey dove-like bird' in the Unidentified Birds Gallery--sorry I couldn't figure out how to attach them to this message!

Any assistance in identifying our little grey visitor would be much appreciated!


img]http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/data/503/thumbs/082.JPG[/img][/url]

[Gill Catton]

Thisun?


I think this is what I know as a 'diamond dove' sold in pet shops. Yes an escape, not native.

[Wild-Woman]

It doesn't look very happy does it? Poor thing.

[Frances P]

Thanks, Gill--I think you're right. I've taken a look at other photos on websites related to Diamond Doves and they certainly resemble what we have. And no, it clearly isn't a happy bunny in our chilly Lancashire countryside!

[Chas]

It will certainly be OK with the climate, it is bred in captivity, Australia banned the export of their wildlife in the 1050s. Any Australian birds here now have been bred in captivity for countless generations. It is looking sad because of stress and lack of suitable diet, having been bred and fed in captivity it will not be finding enough small seed, or seed that it recognises. I would suggest you try and trap it in some way and try and find someone with an aviary that would take it. I am frankly surprised that it has survived "free" for so long without being taken by a cat or bird of prey. They eat millet in captivity by the way. Try the old Dustbin lid trick. Wedge a dustbin lid up with a stick conected to a cord and sit and wait well out of sight put seed under the lid, when the bird goes under to feed pull the stick away and the lid will and trap the bird, you will only get one chance at this! Best of luck!

[Frances P]

Alas, too late! Our poor little dove has gone to the great bird sanctuary in the sky, thanks to one of the farm cats. Oh well...

[Hobjob]

Typical dumb Ozzie

[witham]

R.I.P.D.D. We used to keep some up until a couple of years ago, grey, brown and red, they are such delicate, placid birds and have a lovely soft cooing call similar to their wild relatives, we used to feed them mainly foreign finch food it contains lots of assorted small seeds which they like, you can tell them apart by the ring around their eyes, the males is alot thicker than the females, they used to live outside all year with access to shelter if and when they needed it and they all survived through the winters we had them, they don't really build a nest but you can provide them with a purpose built shallow box with an oval mesh bottom if you want them to breed