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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 84 comments on White Dove Add Your Comment

Rhea - 2011-12-10 Great Web Site! I have found oodles of info on my white dove here. I do have questions I am unable to find info about. I have also posted what type of cage we have our dove in to give others ideas. We have had our white dove 'Lonesome' for about 6 mo now, I took him (not sure if male or female) in because I felt sorry for him when I first saw him. He was kept in a very small parakeet cage with no perch bars and an some sort of towel he stood on, on the bottom of the cage. We put him in a rabbit cage 30 inches L x 18 W x 21 feet T with a solid bottom, with several perch bars and food and water dishes on both sides. We sprinkle grit on the bottom to resemble what comes natural to them by ground feeding. He was very clumbsy at first as he had to learn how to stand and navagate to the other perches because he obviously had never used them before. Now six months later he is a pro, He seems to be very happy. My questions are simple and I hope other Dove owners can help me. 1. I don't think he is your typical Dove, Everything I have read says they are quiet birds. Mine on the other hand is very vocal! He coos ALL THE TIME all day. He sings his mating call with that funny inhaling sound (like one of those moo-ing toys when you turn it upside-down!) I am at the point of frustration with him. I have tried everything to quiet him and the only thing that works is a lazer light. We make sure th'e light does not shine by his eyes as we are aware of the damage they can cause. We flicker it fast on the celing to divert his attention or we put the light on his feet and he stops and moves away from it because he doesnt like it on his feet. Any ideas or suggestions on how to quiet him? Not completly, just not as often. 2. Do Doves need/like nests? Should we try one any suggestions on the type? Thanks ~ Rhea Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2011-12-11 Little unusual and my guess would be that you have a male. I wouldn't keep doing the light thing cuz you just might really be scaring him. Hold him. Just hold him. Second option is to get a female and then yes you would need a nest box. Lynda Bradford - 2012-01-13 he is cooing because he is trying to attract a mate abe - 2012-01-30 With the light you might as well throw rocks at him. Stop that. He coos for love and attention. Take him out of that jail house you call a cage and love on him and let him walk and flutter around awhile. He is not going anywhere. We take our doves out on the porch and let them fly about to different perches. We also have a big cage out there so they can get some sun and fresh air, they love it. They don't just want to fly away from you, unless they know you are mean and don't really care for them. He is always going to coo. That is part of it. A partner will slow his cooing down some, but not completely. Reply

Ruby H - 2011-11-21 I have a silly question. Sometimes when my dove is just flitting around when he lands he giggles. Seriously does anybody know what this means? Click For Replies (4) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-21 Not a silly question. My human had a cockatoo and the cockatoo would just click for an hour at a time. Just click. She called everyone and asked why the c;licking and no one could answer. My guess is they just happen to like making a particular sound and they repeat it over and over. Peter A Meyer - 2011-12-14 Friends of mine in Melbourne had a Galah (Rose-breasted Cockatoo) that must have been reared with a cat because it purred! Lynda Bradford - 2012-01-13 That is a natural landing sound for doves. Then they will flicker their wings to welcome each other. abe - 2012-01-30 He is most likely a she. My male only coos and my younger female laughs when landing or when she is picking at the male! Also the male can only walk real slow, but hops real fast when he is after the female. She walks real fast. I don't know if all males and females have this same feature. Reply

Joyanne - 2012-01-16 Hi, I just have a little concern, I hope someone can help me?. A bird has kind of adopted me. I think it is a white pigeon with some black. It has been living in my yard for just over a week. I do feed it. It sleeps in my water drain on my roof. But does'nt fly any further than my roof. It seems to be quite tame. My noisy kids don't scare it. It even tried to come into my house! It has no ring or id tags. Should I be worried? It is eating lots. But I was also hoping to get a cat soon. But I don't want anything to happen to this beautiful bird. Thank you. I hope someone can help as getting a bit worried about it. Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-16 WOW this could be so many different things ranging from the bird is just fine to the bird is really old and settled away from the flock. It could also have gotten separated from it's human owner which is why it comes in the home and is so tame. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-16 Just some thoughts in if the little fella is this tame. it belonged to someone or at least had a flock. If it is old and separated from the flock or just separated from its human, it probably can't make it on it own through winter - depending on where you live. If it comes in the house - just pick it up and put it in any kind of a holding cage. You can keep it for a pet or you can take it to a rehabilatation facility. You can also put a bird cage where it is nesting on the roof and fill the cage with hay or carefresh so it can stay warm. The SPCA called me to care for a dove that had been lost somehow in a hurricane. I realized the dove was blind and I lived in Fl so just for temporary, I put her in my dogs kennel. I have no idea how she did it but a male dove got in there and showed her the 'ropes' and they had 4 babies. Somehow the male showed her around, where the food was and he cared for the babies and her. It was a wonder to see and have. Few years went by and there were about 15 doves and they went in and out of the dog kennel as they saw fit. mary - 2012-01-16 What state are you from? It sounds like my dove, as I think mine has expanded, her feeding route, yes here in MI she is still flying, shivering some nights I know, imagine a white bird in white snow. Shes had to see same days, then a white cat was stalking her about a month ago, but someone at work told me to put orange peel in the yard,and I haven't seen the cat since. Can anyone tell me where in the USA someone builds Dovecotes, I can only find them in the UK, and shipping is terrible. Reply

mary - 2011-11-02 I'm still trying to catch this beautiful white dove that adopted me this summer, I live in MI so it's not gona be nice soon. I've wrtten before and all the hints to catch haven't worked. she's a fast one. If I'm successful how big a cage do I need, food what kind and where do I find grit, and will she adapt to indoor life? Click For Replies (5) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-03 If she is that flighty than I don't know of any other way to catch her except a net. You just catch her like you would a butterfly with the net and then twist the net closed and carry her into the home. The cage should be at least 2 X 2 by 3. You can find grit/food etc at the pet store and I just can't imagine that she would not adapt to indoor life. I think she must have been indoors or had human contact at some point. It might take a little while but she wouldn't keep coming back like this if she felt safe somewhere else. Marthe Schwartz - 2011-11-03 Hi Mary,I had written before, but did not see it posted. A white sacred dove was sitting in my driveway end of August. I lured her in with placing seeds and a water dish into the garage. Once inside I closed the garage and cornered her with a white sheet which I gently throw over her. Well, she is with us and my parrots since then and part of our family. I named her 'Perlita'. So gentle and sweet and she knows the whole house now and flies around to certain times when I let her out of her cage(cockatiel cage) or the guest bathroom, she occupies both. :-) Any Petstore should have grit, buy the medium size. Good Luck, hope you can get her into your garage!? Marthe mary - 2011-11-04 I hadn't thought of a sheet. I have some decorative fishnet that is flexable that maybe I could throw over her, as i don't have a garage to lure her into. I swear she eats with one eye on her food and one eye on me and at the smallest move I make, she's up on the roof. Frank - 2011-11-06 One of my white doves got out of the pen and she had 2 little ones in the nest. The male mate continued to feed them. Mother dove did not stray because she had the babies. If she didn't have babies she would have been long gone. I have a small Hav-A-Heart trap suitable for catching small fry such as birds, chipmunks and so forth. I placed it on the ground by the pen and after a couple of days she became hungry and flew back to the pen, looked around and saw the seeds and half piece of crumbled white bread and and I placed it in a line Hansel and Gretel style and she followed the food inside and triggered the trap. I put her back in the pen and she flew straight to the nest and her little ones. Frank Lynda Bradford - 2012-01-13 Big fish net with a long handle Reply

mary - 2011-11-07 I sure hope doves have short term memory, cause today I really made her mad trying to catch her with no luck, first with a blanket no luck she moved just as i dropped it, then with a fishing net which my neighbor had previously tried weeks ago and she took off and I haven't seen her since. I'm so upset, that she put her trust in me and then I upset her by trying to catch her. I just hope she comes back to eat, All of you sucessful dove catchers must be a lot faster than I am. Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-08 I am sorry - she must be fast. The only other thing I can think of is to take some sort of cage and put the food inside the cage. Tie a string to the door and when she goes into eat - which might take a couple of tries then pull the string and close the door. Lynda Bradford - 2012-01-13 Try a big fish net. Reply

netra sonawane - 2011-12-18 My white dove is born to eggs but is not coming to hatching and not coming to pets why not come to hatching tell me? Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-12-20 I'm not sure I understand exactly but I believe you're asking why your dove isn't sitting her eggs. Many times they do not sit (incubate) the eggs until the last egg is laid. During this time and incubation, it would be unlikely that she would come to be pet as well. Wait until the last egg is laid and see if she starts sitting the eggs then. Lynda Bradford - 2012-01-13 mother nature Reply

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