Animal-World > Birds > Doves - Pigeons > White Dove

White DoveSacred White Dove ~ Java Dove

Family: Columbidae

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Streptopelia risoriaPhoto Courtesy: Lisa Umstead - Parrot Haven

     When you think of the term 'dove' you think of the White Dove. The White Dove has been one of the most universal symbols of love and peace throughout history!

     The White Dove, Sacred White Dove, or Java Dove is the most historically described dove from Noah through today. We often see it used today as an emblem in peace negotiations. We also commonly see it used in weddings to symbolize love.

     Though it is very popular to use White Doves for what are called 'wedding releases', it is actually white homing pigeons that are used. White homing pigeons are very strong flyers, have a well developed homing instinct, and will return to their dovecote. The White Dove is not the same bird as the white homing pigeon. Though they are both white, the White Dove is a smaller bird. It does not fly straight for long distances but rather flutters about, and it does not have a highly developed homing instinct.

     Another area where White Doves are commonly used is in magic acts. They are intelligent birds that can be taught simple tricks, and they are not afraid of being in a cloth handkerchief or a dark hat.

     White Doves are very popular and an excellent bird for a beginner They are actually a white variety of the Ringneck Dove though a bit more expensive, and they have all the good points of the Ringneck Doves.They are very easy to care for and have a very sweet gentle nature. They will do well in either a cage or in an aviary and can be kept as a single bird or as a pair. Once a White Dove is comfortable with its home and its family, It can be handled by adults and children alike.

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

Scientific Name: Streptopelia risoria var.

Distribution:      The White Dove, Sacred White Dove, or Java Dove are a white mutation of the Ringneck Dove. Like the other Ringnecks, they are only known to exist as a domesticated bird.      See Ringnecked Doves for more information on their history.

Description:       White Doves are small birds, about 12" from head to tail. They will live an average of 10 - 15 years, though some may live over 25 years.      In the 1800's & early 1900's the Ringneck Dove and the White Dove were considered to be two different species/races of dove due to the difference in their coloration. They were labeled the "Blond Ringneck" Steptopelia risoria and the "White Ringneck" Streptopelia alba. Many years elapsed before it was determined that these two birds were the same species, just two different color phases. These two colors were the only known colors in the United States until the 1950's.

Care and feeding:      Suitable housing for a White 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.      Like the Ringneck Dove 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.      White 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. White 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 all 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:      White 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: White Doves are readily available. Usually available at pet stores, but can also be found through bird shows, bird clubs or breeders.

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I have a rather large bird feeder in my yard under a large tree. The feeder is attached to a pulley and a rope. I raise and lower the feeder by the pulley to fill it. I always have a lot of birds of all kinds. The other evening at dusk I noticed there were no birds around. I stepped out side and in another tree sat a beautiful, single white dove. It was not afraid and did not fly away. I went out a number of times and it just watched me. The next morning I went out to fill the bird feeder for the week. I noticed as I walked out the door the beautiful, white dove was sitting in the same place in the same poise. It did not move and was not frightened. I watched it's eyes. The eyes followed me as I filled the bird feeder. I watered some plants that were directly under the feeder. I went into the house. I never saw the dove feed. But I did notice that there were no other birds around all morning. The only other time I saw anything like this was when a Blue Jay came around. All the birds left for awhile as long as the Blue Jay was around the feeder. Can anyone tell me if this a normal reaction of the birds? Does a white dove usually show up at dusk? Does it have an oman when it does show up at a home and stays for awhile (except that it is hungry)? Any comments would be really appreciated. Thanks for making my day ... you little white, winged dove. Lela 2009-08-16
A few years ago, I used a beautiful white dove as a final accent to a clay sculpture presentation of the Christ. With dramatic music, special lighting, fog, etc., a cross was raised behind the life sized sculpture with the dove flying up from behind and landing on the cross just as the lighting faded out. This night, performing in a large civic center, with a very large audience, the dove just "tipped" the cross, (not stopping on the cross) and flew out into the audience. (Something he had never done). After the service, a young lady approached me with a beautiful little baby girl in her arms. She explained that the year before she was delivering twins, of which the baby she was holding, was born, but before the doctors could get the second, the mothers heart artery ruptured, losing the second child during the trama. This lady explained that her heart is still serious, and unrest, worry, and all the feelings of losing her other baby had taken a toll on she and her husband....."Well, the dove singled me out of the very large crowd and gently settled on my shoulder," she said. "A peace has come over me", she added. I apologized and explained that he had never flown into the audience then shared that, "lets know that God has used one of His very beautiful creations to single you out, and let you know that things are going to be alright". She was overwhelmed with the experience and so was I. Lavelle Evans 2009-07-28
As I walked thru my backyard to get the morning paper one white dove flew up from the bushes to the roof. It sat there and was not afraid. I was pleasantly surprised to see it. This is a first for me. I hope it sticks around. Janice 2009-05-10
Recently I received an e-mail with the sad news of the passing away of a dear friend. Morning finally arrived after a difficult night and a pure white dove came to eat from a dish of bird feed we keep for the morning doves. She was a thing of beauty; not at all common here in Southern AZ and she gave me a feeling of peace. She still comes in the afternoon to eat and is not frightened if I come near her as I water my plants as she sits on our wall warming herself. I feel blessed. Lorrie 2009-05-02
Two snow white doves appeared in my backyard about a month ago. They are now nesting in my Elm tree over the driveway. I can see the nest out my kitchen window. We've fed birds for about 20 years now and this is the first time for the white doves. I hope they are successful with their babies. How cool it would be to have more of these beautiful birds. Mary 2009-04-26
Some of the coolest comments:
One day I came home from work and noticed a small white bird struggling to make the flight across a 6 lane hwy in my suburb of Sydney. He missed cars and trucks by sheer inches but managed to make it to the backyard clothesline of my unit block, totally exhausted, but to my joy in one piece. It was indeed a white dove. I picked him off the line and caged him with my pet cockatiel, they got on just fine. She passed 2 years later but 12 years on Georgie, as I named him, is still going strong and is as bright and happy as he ever was. It is a joy to wake up to his distinctive cooing and I can understand the symbolic meaning of dove and peace. I can highly recommend a dove as a pet for kids and adults alike. stephen 2009-07-19
One day riding my bike on the golf green I saw a tiny white bird sitting in the green grass. I was instantly drawn to it and realised it was a white dove. I started to pet it and realised it wasn't trying to fly off. Picking it up I realised its feather were wet and it couldn't really fly. I picked him up and put him in my bike basked and we rode home 3 miles. I was impressed with its ability to sit and ride so quietely without fuss. She has since became my most favored pet and I named her Chmpagne Hope. She rides with me everyday now on the edge of the basket looking around and enjoying the freedom of riding versus flying I'm sure, for which she is still weak. I encourage her to fly around, let her sit in the sun everyday, and don't believe in caging her. So she goes all over the apartment, though she does perch herself next to me every night next to my bed. To look after me I'm sure, as I believe she is my spirit guide. What a beautiful and unexpected blessing! hailey booth 2008-10-02
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I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful web page. I rescued my white dove from a horrible situation in a pet store. Within a week he has become quite content in his new home. He loves to sit on my shoulder and coo softly. I cannot imagine our family without him. christine 2009-08-06
Wow, it's really a great website indeed. I have also got white doves and they have recently laid eggs and I am very anxious to see the young ones. I got a lot of information from this site about how to take care of these fellows. Thanks a lot to those who have made this site. MJ 2009-03-23
Just happened upon this site and how wonderful it was to read the nice stories of other white dove owners! I myself have a white female dove and she has my heart under her wing! She is very loving and gentle. She thinks I am her mate as others mentioned. I was quite surprised at one owner saying his bird was 35 yrs. WOW. I have had my Lucybird for about 5 yrs. I got her at 3 days old and she was a joy to raise. Good luck to all of you. Rita B. in mississippi Anonymous 2008-11-22

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