How to Care for Eurasian Collared Doves
The Eurasian collared dove, also known as the collared dove, is a small bird with striking plumage colors. It is mostly gray, but has black feathers around the top of its neck that look like a collar, giving it its name. It also has darker feathers under its wings and tail that are tipped with white. The Eurasian collared dove is known as a hardy dove that is friendly with both people and other doves. When properly cared for properly, Eurasian colared doves can live for about 20 years.
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Things You'll Need
- Large cage
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Perches
- Bird paper or torn newspaper
- Scrub brush
- Assorted dove foods
Instructions
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Provide a large cage for the Eurasian collared dove. Each dove needs about 2 square feet of space, but even larger cages often make the dove feel more comfortable. Place the cage in an area of the house where there are no vents or open windows as drafts can cause health problems in doves.
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Place a food and a water dish near the bottom of the cage. Doves spend a lot of their time on the bottom of the cage, and are most comfortable eating and drinking at the bottom as well.
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Place several perches in the cage. Although Eurasian collared doves mainly walk about on the bottom of the cage, perches provide a different vantage point and more options for the bird. The perches should be easy for the bird to get to and should not be too close to the walls of the cage. The perches should also be at different levels throughout the cage.
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Fill the bottom of the cage with a layer of bird papers or even torn newspaper. When the cage becomes dirty, this will make cleaning it much easier.
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Clean the food and water bowls daily. Provide fresh food and water daily as well.
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Clean the cage once a week. Remove the soiled papers at the bottom of the cage. Use a scrub brush to clean the perches of any waste or dirt.
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Mist the collared dove every day. Doves like to have baths, and if the water bowl is not large enough for them to climb into, a daily misting will keep them clean.
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Let the dove fly around the house for a period of time each day. Doves need exercise in order to remain healthy. Generally, doves fly around in one area and have little desire to escape. However, it's important to always exercise the dove inside. Doves that fly around outside often go too far and forget how to get home.
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Feed the dove a mix of seeds, grains, and fruits. Parakeet foods that have added vitamins often work well. A small supply of bird grit will also aid the dove in digesting the seeds. Greens, bread or crackers, and insects, such as crickets, can also be given as treats.
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Tips & Warnings
Doves prefer to be in pairs of two for companionship.
