Doves as Pets: The Gentlest Bird on This List
Calm and Gentle
The Merck Veterinary Manual describes doves as elegant and calm, and less demonstrative than parrots. They rarely bite even when startled, which makes them a peaceful choice for quieter homes.
Gentle doesn't mean cuddly. Most doves are happier being watched and talked to than held, though some hand-raised birds will sit on a hand. They are relatives of the pigeon and share its easygoing nature.
Cooing, Not Screaming
A dove's voice is a soft, repeated coo, and males coo more, especially when courting. It suits apartments far better than a parrot's calls, though a dawn chorus of cooing isn't silent either.
A Dove-Friendly Setup
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Doves need a long, wide cage or aviary with floor space for walking and room to fly; climbing toys mean little to them. Wide, flat perches or shelves suit their feet. A shallow bath, a dove seed mix or pellets, and a dish of grit complete the setup.
Ground Feeding and Company
Doves pick food from the ground, so put food and water dishes low, in a wide, shallow dish, and give them floor space to walk. They swallow seed whole, which is why a little grit helps. Add fresh greens and offer fresh water daily.
Doves are social and usually do well in pairs or small groups. A male and female pair will breed and lay eggs readily; ask a specialist keeper about managing eggs if you don't want chicks. Mixing doves with boisterous parrots isn't a good idea.
The First Month
- Set up in a calm room, cage against a wall, away from drafts and the kitchen.
- Let them settle before trying any handling.
- Give daily time to fly in a bird-safe room, or a large aviary.
- Find a vet who sees birds and book a first check-up.
Never release pet doves outdoors: they lack the skills to survive and can't find their way home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What people ask about doves.
Are doves calmer than other pet birds?
Generally yes. They are gentle, rarely bite and are quieter than parrots.
Do doves like to be cuddled?
Most prefer to be watched and talked to. Some hand-raised doves will perch on a hand, but they are not lap birds.
How loud are doves?
Quiet: a soft coo, more from males. Much easier on neighbors than a parrot.
Can a dove live alone?
Doves are social and usually do better in pairs or small groups.
Why do doves need floor space?
They feed on the ground and walk a lot, so low dishes and room to walk matter as much as perches.
Are doves good for beginners?
They can be, for people who want a calm, quiet bird to watch rather than handle, and who have room for a large cage or aviary.
Related Reading
- Canaries and finches: other watch-and-listen birds.
- Bird cages and stands: flight cages and aviaries.
- Choosing a pet bird: comparing options.
Doves hide illness like other birds. One that sits fluffed up, stops eating or changes its droppings needs an avian vet the same day.