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White Dove

Sacred White Dove ~ Java Dove

Family: ColumbidaeStreptopelia 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.

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 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.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on White Dove View all 100 comments on White Dove Add Your Comment

janet - 2012-05-07 If my doves eggs do not hatch after 21 days, what should i do with the eggs? the female is very,very protective of her eggs. it is her 1st eggs &she &her mate both sit on the eggs in thee nest. any advice would be appreciated. thanks Charlie Roche - 2012-05-17 It isn't normal for a dove to have two clutches in 28 days but not unusual. Did you let her sit the first two eggs? Yes, she will probably lay a second egg. Let her sit the eggs and don't throw them out until after 20 days or until she gets bored with them and stops sitting. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-07 Yes, she is protective of her eggs but she will lose interest. After the 21 days - just throw them out and might as well give her a new toy --- just a little something to play with. janet - 2012-05-07 thanks charlie, what kind of toy? how about her limping, any advice about that? Charlie Roche - 2012-05-07 Doves seem to like to pull things that make a little noise. Maybe just a parakeet toy made out of plastic. janet - 2012-05-12 Well the eggs were not fertile as I suspected. Took them out of their cage today, to make sure there was not a baby in one we broke it open. Just an egg! My birds seem ok and are singinng as I type. Hope down the road we have some new babies. Now for my question, why do you think my last female that died last month never laid a egg after 7yrs? No she was not a male said the avian vet. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-12 If the avian vet did not run a DNA test to determine the sex - then there is no sure way for the vet to determine the sex of the dove. It is also possible that for some reason the female just didn't lay eggs. Not all females develop and not all females lay eggs. Without the DNA test - it could have been a male. However, it could be an undeveloped 7 year old female - it happens. janet - 2012-05-16 Hey Charlie, thanks for the advice about the bird toy, my female dove has been playing with it it all moring! janet - 2012-05-16 28 days ago my new white dove laid 2 eggs. They were not fertile. I just got home in her feed bowl is another egg. Is this normal? Is she going to have another one to make two? janet - 2012-05-17 yes she sat the 1st 2 clutches for 22 days,(hoping for babies) why is there only one after the 1st 2 and not 2eggs? or dothey sometimes lay them days apart cuz it has been over 24hrs. since she had the last , what are the chances for a baby???????? janet - 2012-05-21 OK my white dove sweetie laid an egg on 5-16 and laid another one on the 19th or the 20th. Does anyone know of any doves who lay so many eggs? She laid two about 32 days ago that were not fertile. What's up with this egg laying dove? Reply

Mary from MI - 2012-05-17 My little white dove has been with me,outside for a year now she made it threw a MI winter, and last month she brought home a friend, much larger than her? White with some black feathers in his? wings. For the past few weeks her bottom has been dirty ,like she been sittin in mud would this mean she's on a nest? Both come to the feeder daily, today she was just really cooing for a very long time, he? wasn't around at that time would that make a difference? Charlie Roche - 2012-05-18 WOW made it through the winter and found a friend. A dirty bottom could definitely be an indication of nesting or laying in a nest but not necessarily eggs. Also, it is the male that coos pretty constantly for the female so you probably have a boy calling for its mate. Reply

stephen koski - 2012-05-03 Did anyone release some doves in celebration, in the Oakdale Minnesota area lately? I saw one in my yard today . janet - 2012-05-13 The birds that are released for weddings etc. are actually white pigeons that will fly back home. Doves fly in circles and do not return if they are released. Perhaps you should check if someone in your neighborhood lost a dove. Have you saved the bird or not? Reply

helen - 2012-05-09 I recently found a white dove in my back yard, It seems to have little bugs on it, I need to know what to do to get rid of these bugs. I am thinking of keeping it. How do you tell if it is a male or female? And how can you tell if it is pregant? Charlie Roche - 2012-05-09 You can bathe the dove in warm water with a little Dawn and just soak it real well and rinse throughly. That should get rid of the little bugs (probably mites). There is no 100% full proof way to distinguish a male from a female without DNA sexing and you probably don't wish to do that at this point. If she is pregnant, she will probably lay an egg quite soon otherwise she isn't pregnant or you have a male. janet - 2012-05-12 Helen if you keep the dove you found get a bird protector for the cage. It works really good, you can get them at any pet store. I have used them for 19 yrs and have never had a mite on any of my doves. just give her a nice dawn bath, please be very careful not to get any in the eyes, and really rinse, rinse, rinse. you will have years of happiness when you add a dove to your family!!!!! Reply

janet - 2012-05-05 i think my new female white dove my have hurt her right foot. she is limping in her cage. can i do anything to fix it, or will it heal on her own? Lily - 2012-05-08 Take her to the Vet. One that specilizes in birds. Ask the Humane Society for best bird vet in area. Reply

janet - 2012-05-07 If my doves eggs do not hatch after 21 days, what should i do with the eggs? the female is very,very protective of her eggs. it is her 1st eggs &she &her mate both sit on the eggs in thee nest. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks Charlie Roche - 2012-05-07 Let her sit the eggs and usually they get bored with them. Dove eggs usually hatch at around 14 days so if you waited 17 days or so - then you can just remove the eggs and throw them out. Give them a new toy to play with - it would be nice. Reply

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