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Ringneck Dove

Family: ColumbidaeTangerine Ringneck DoveStreptopelia risoriaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Ringneck Doves are gentle birds that do not bite and are easily tamed. They can be handled by by adults and children alike!

   The Ringneck Dove is the surely the most commonly kept dove in captivity and are kept by fanciers all over the world. Ringneck Doves are easy to care for and are hardy. Being good-natured social creatures they will do well in either a cage or in an aviary and can be kept as a single bird or as a pair.

   Perhaps best known for its gentle temperament, a Ringneck Dove makes a great pet that is sweet natured and almost naturally tame. Give it a couple days to get used to its new home and family, and then you can begin letting it out to explore its surroundings. Though your pet may flutter about for a bit when first let out, it will quickly settle down and become quite content.  

   Until the 1950's only two colors of Ringneck Doves were available in the United States, a blond or fawn color and a white color known as the White Dove. Today the Ringneck Dove comes in over 40 colors with more being developed.

   The Tangerine Ringneck Dove, like the one shown in the picture above, was the first color variation developed.

For more information about the care of Doves and Pigeons see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Doves & Pigeons.

Geographic Distribution Streptopelia risoria Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Scientific Name: Streptopelia risoria

Distribution:    There are seven species of 'ringnecks' and they are members of a group commonly called the Turtle Doves.
   This domestic ringneck is classified as Streptopelia risoria. Although its true origin is unknown, the ringneck is generally thought to be descended from the African Ring Dove or African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea.
   It had been kept for over 2000 years, brought to Europe in the second half of the sixteenth century from Sudan. Described by Linnaeus in 1756 as Columba risoria, it is only known to exist as a domesticated bird.

Description:     The Ringneck Dove is a small bird, about 12" from head to tail. They will live an average 10 - 15 years, though some may live over 25 years.
   Originally whites and blonds (fawns) were the only two known colors of Ringneck Doves in the United States. In the 1960's breeders began experimenting and through selective breeding have developed a large number of varieties. Today there are over 40 color mutations/combinations acknowledged by Dove Associations and new color variations are emerging constantly. The first dominant gene caused color mutation was the tangerine.

Care and feeding:    Suitable housing for a Ringneck Dove would be a large cockatiel cage along with some flight time outside the cage. A pair can be kept and bred in a cage as small as 2 feet square. Cages that are longer and wider are more important than tall cages, as these birds flutter around and do not climb. Males tend to be quarrelsome with other males so keep pairs housed alone.
  They are quite hardy. If they are kept outdoors and are accustomed to cold weather, they can take below freezing temperatures for a short period of time.
   Ringneck Doves are very clean birds and love to bathe. They will enjoy either a bath in a large bowl of water or a shower, a misting with a light spray of clean water.
   A commercial dove and pigeon mix or a regular parakeet seed mix supplemented with greens rich in minerals, vitamins, and calcium is a fine diet. Ringneck Doves love treats. They not only enjoy their greens, but will also enjoy spray millet and such things as crumbled cornmeal and bread. Grit is essential as Ringneck Doves swallow their food whole, and it helps grind up the food. Oyster shell or even cuttlebone can be added for calcium and is important for egg layers.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Housing and About Doves & Pigeons: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:    They are good-natured social creatures that do well when kept in cages or in aviaries. They can be rather territorial however, and will need plenty of personal space. They can be easily tamed with very little effort. They form permanent pairs and mates do well if kept together.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Social Behaviors for more information on social behaviors of doves and pigeons.

Activities:
   If kept in a cage, they should be let out daily for some free time to exercise. They are not known to be strong fliers and will be content to just flutter here and there and then will quickly settle down.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Ringneck Doves are easy to breed, but are not usually community breeders unless there is a lot of room. They will do best in their own cage and it can be relatively small. They are rather flimsy nest builders so it is best to provide them with an open nesting container.
   They can be bred as early as 6 months of age. They will lay two eggs which hatch after about 14 days. The young will stay in the nest for about 4 weeks or so. The parents can lay a new clutch of eggs every six weeks but this is very unhealthy for the birds. It is recommended that they only produce 3 to 5 clutches a year. You can remove the nesting materials or separate the birds to control this.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:   These birds are hardy and healthy if provided with a good environment and a good diet. Avoid an environment that is wet, cool, and drafty.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Potential Problems for information on health.

Availability: The Ringneck Doves are readily available. Usually available at pet stores, but can also be found through bird shows, bird clubs or breeders.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Ringneck Dove View all 53 comments on Ringneck Dove Add Your Comment

Noshin Raisa - 2009-06-30 Well I didn't actually see any doves. I really want a pure white dove that is gentle and sweet tempered. But I don't know where to get one. My birthday is in July 3. I am in Manhattan. If anyone know where to get a pure white dove, than tell me 'PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Thank you very much! Click For Replies (3) nathan sizer - 2010-04-11 I have a pair already they're beautiful birds. Amy - 2011-03-06 Keep my e mail handy mine keep hatching white babies. Cari Cleverly-Carmichael - 2012-01-31 Noshin, Two years ago my husband got me two white Doves for our annivesary. I had never even considered having a bird as a pet prior to my new thoughtful and very unique anniversary gift. WOW!!! It was love at first sight, they are so pretty, and that's nothing compared to their quite surprising social little personalities. They are extremely sweet, loveable, curious, social, and funny. Mine make a laughing sound that is so cute it makes me laugh too. Any way my Doves named Jasper and Lola have parented four baby birds that I have happily welcomed into our family (it can get a little noisy around here especially early in the morning) but it's a soothing sound and I LOVE IT!!! I don't know if it's the area I live in or what (Butte, Montana), but no one seems to want a baby Dove. I would love to help you get your pure white Dove (or two), that is gentle, and sweet tempered. Reply

Richard Sage - 2011-03-09 We have a white ringneck dove that is about 11 months old. We just found out it was a female when she laid an egg, then 2, 3 and now 4. She has only taken to 1, the last. Will the egg produce a baby seeing she is the only bird with no mate? Click For Replies (2) Editor's Note - 2011-03-09 No, the egg will not produce a baby. Your dove must have a mate to fertilize the egg, otherwise it cannot hatch. dot - 2012-01-18 The eggs have to be fertilized or they will not hatch. Reply

Rose - 2012-01-05 Hi I have a dovecote can daimond doves or ringneck doves be kept in it if they are homed Reply

dddd - 2011-12-21 About a year ago a tangerine dove flew into our yard and my dad caught it and we kept him (I think?) as a pet. He's in a large aviary with budgies, a cockatiel, and a finch. He seems to have a liking towards my finch, he coos and bows to her and I was wondering if I should get another dove for him. Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-12-21 That would be more up to you. He sounds like he is happy but he would probably like one that is like himself. dddd - 2012-01-02 I did get another one, he seems way happier and wants to raise babies now :D Reply

Jesse G - 2011-10-20 My ring neck dove keeps attacking me, whenever I walk by his cage he raises his wings as if to make himself look bigger to scare me off, when I go to pick him up he tries to evade me and starts pecking hard at me can someone help me with this I feed him but whenever I get close to him he just attacks me. Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2011-10-20 I think that is really strange behavior for a dove. Sounds territorial to me. Try feeding him with your hand some sort of treat. Cheerios usually work. Sometimes something scares a bird and they seem to be 'cage bound' as if they are afraid to come out or get off the cage. Can you just 'pick him up' and move him to a neutral area? Whether territorial or some sort of fear - you need to get him to a neutral area - away from his cage and go back to the basics like 'step up' 'No' etc. If this has just been for a week or so - then I would just ride it out for another week. Could be molting, hormonal, puberty etc. Birds do have their moments when they just want alone time. Otherwise neutral territory and back to the basics. Glenda Alatorre - 2011-11-02 My dove attacks everyone but me. He aggressively attacks my 9 year old daughter and my 81 year old mother. I have decided he loves me and is territorial. I would like to find a way to change this behavior though. It is so heart breaking to my daughter, who treats him very well. He dive bombs her head and face every time she goes past him. Charlie Roche - 2011-11-02 Territorial behavior and I guess he believes that you are his territory. It happens frequently in the world of birds. Your little guy has chosen you as his mate and is going to protect you from any and all others. There are lots of suggestions that people have like have your mom or daughter feed the little fella treats. Sometimes this can work but I just thought I'd tell you that I have been with my human for 27 years and she is my mate. I will chase her husband all over the home. I will not tolerate him and he has given me cheese, chicken, done my water, treats - even tried talking and I do not care. My human is my mate. Reply

Jo - 2009-06-02 I have ring necked doves and white doves - they breed all the time in a cockateil breeding box without a lid. The male sits on the eggs just as much as the female and also helps with the feeding of the young. One time I had two females lay eggs in the same box at the same time, and the two females and the male all helped out each other. The three eggs hatched and all survived!! Jo Click For Replies (2) nene - 2011-07-13 Hoping you may have some advice... We have a white ring neck Dove that has been with us for two weeks. It arrived one day appearing exhausted from the heat and I took a large clay saucer of water and set it down near the Dove on our deck. Also put down a small dish of finely cracked corn and the bird responded well to the water and food. Our feathered visitor spends hours resting on our deck while dining on various seeds that I read were good for white Doves. It appears that the Dove roosts in the trees at night for safety... I get very close to the Dove and it has come to know my voice when I call to it or shake the feed that I'm about to give it. The bird is healthy and has put some weight on since it's arrival. ** My dilemma in reading about these Doves is that supposedly this breed should not be released in the wild. I'm concerned about our impending cold New England weather and if the bird should be captured to protect it from the elements? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We enjoy this beautiful creature and don't want anything bad to happen to him/her. Charlie Roche - 2011-07-13 I would think there has to be a breeder in your area of ring neck doves. Your little guy must have been a pet or around humans to not be at all skiddish. He might have been a pet. If you were in Florida where there are so many, you possibly could leave him out. Without a flock, I just wouldn't think he could make it. It is just too cold up there in New England. I believe, unless, he finds a flock, you are going to have to catch him. There has to be a sanctuary somewhere near you as well. Reply

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