Ringneck doves are a domesticated breed of dove that are popular as pets and often kept in aviaries. While they are common in captivity, wild ringneck doves are actually quite rare. In this article, we’ll explore whether ringneck doves are rare in nature, what makes them a unique species of dove, and provide some background on how they became domesticated.
Are wild ringneck doves rare?
Yes, wild ringneck doves are considered rare. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and limited parts of the Middle East. Within their native habitat, ringneck dove populations have declined significantly over the past several decades. This decline is attributed to loss of natural habitat, agricultural expansion, and over-hunting. As a result, ringneck doves are now classified as a near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their wild populations are small and fragmented across parts of their historic range.
Unique traits of ringneck doves
Ringneck doves have several unique traits that distinguish them from other dove species:
Distinctive plumage
Ringneck doves have light grey feathers on most of their body. Their heads are white with a characteristic black stripe or ring on the back of their neck, giving them their name. The ring is most visible when the dove stretches its neck forward. They have deep red eyes and red feet.
Smaller size
Ringnecks are smaller than many other dove species. They reach a length of about 9-12 inches and weigh 4-6 ounces. Their petite size contributes to their appeal as pets.
Cooing vocalizations
Ringnecks produce a distinctive cooing vocalization that is muted compared to other doves. It is described as a rolling croodle-doo sound. Their soft coos are one of their endearing traits as pets.
Strong homing ability
If they escape or are released, ringneck doves have a strong ability to find their way back home from long distances away. This homing ability is one reason they have become popular among pigeon and dove enthusiasts for training and competing in races. Their navigational skills are impressive compared to other domesticated aviary birds.
History of domestication
Ringneck doves have a long history of domestication going back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates they were kept as pets as early as 2000 BC in the Middle East. Over centuries, dove keepers likely selected birds with more desirable traits as pets, leading to the development of genetic differences from wild ringneck doves.
Some key milestones in ringneck dove domestication include:
1850s: First documented imports to Europe
Ringneck doves were first brought to Europe in the 1850s by French bird collector Émile Tristram during his travels in Palestine. Only a small number of birds were initially imported.
1930s: Established as pets in the United States
Ringneck doves were first established as pets in the United States in the 1930s. A few breeders began actively breeding and selling captive-bred birds. Their popularity grew slowly at first.
1970s-1980s: Increased availability
In the 1970s and 80s, ringneck doves became more readily available through large-scale commercial bird breeders. More color mutations were developed as well. Their popularity as pets grew substantially during this period.
Today: CommonBeginner pet
Now ringneck doves are widely-kept as pets and readily available from breeders and pet stores. Their pleasing appearance, quiet nature, and relatively simple care requirements make them a popular first pet bird.
Habitat and distribution
The natural habitat of wild ringneck doves consists of dry, open country in warm regions. This includes:
- Scrublands
- Grasslands
- Desert oases
- Farmlands
- Rural towns and villages
Ringneck doves roost on the ground or in trees and nest in bushes, dense vegetation, or on cliff ledges. They prefer habitats with a source of drinking water nearby.
Their native distribution is limited to:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Northern Africa
- Arabian Peninsula
- Western Asia
But feral populations have become established in some other regions due to escaped or released captive birds, including parts of Europe, Australia, the United States, and elsewhere.
Countries with wild populations
Some countries that still have wild ringneck dove populations include:
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Mali
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel
- Jordan
- India
But even in these countries, the populations are limited to certain areas and considered threatened. Overall, wild populations across their natural range have declined.
Population and conservation status
The global population of wild ringneck doves is estimated to be only 1.5 to 7 million mature individuals. Their populations are believed to be decreasing as habitat loss and over-hunting pressures increase.
Ringneck doves are classified as:
- Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
- Close to qualifying for Vulnerable status
Major threats to wild populations include:
- Habitat degradation – due to agricultural expansion, grazing livestock, and deforestation
- Over-hunting – for food, sale at markets, or trap shooting
- Climate change – increased droughts may reduce habitat
- Declining food sources – due to habitat loss and agricultural changes
Conservation actions needed:
- Habitat protection and restoration
- Limits on trapping and hunting
- Community engagement to reduce hunting
- Captive breeding programs as an assurance population
Captive and domesticated ringneck doves are plentiful, but wild populations of this unique dove species have become very limited and at risk of further declines without conservation intervention. Their extinction in the wild would represent a significant loss of biodiversity.
Description
Here is a more detailed look at the physical features and traits of ringneck doves:
Size
Ringneck doves are relatively small doves, though they are slightly larger than common city pigeons.
- Length: 9-12 inches
- Wingspan: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 4-6 oz
Females are generally a bit larger than males.
Plumage
- Head, neck, breast: White or pale grey
- Body, wings, tail: Pale grey with darker grey flaking
- Distinctive black neck ring (sometimes dark brown)
- Dark grey beak
- Red eyes
- Red feet and legs
The neck ring is usually complete but can be broken or fragmented in some individuals. Juveniles lack the neck ring until their first molt.
Variations
There are several color mutations of domesticated ringnecks, including:
- White
- Pied / spotted
- Crested
- Golden
- Silky
- Baldneck
But the classic wild-type plumage remains the most common.
Body shape
Ringnecks have a typical slender, streamlined dove body shape:
- Rounded head
- Short legs
- Pointed wings
- Long tapered tail
Their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound when they take flight.
Differences from pigeons
Ringneck doves are often confused with common pigeons. But they can be distinguished by:
- Smaller, sleeker overall size
- Pointed tail vs square tail
- Dark neck ring
- Distinct cooing vocalizations
Ringneck doves are more delicate and slender in profile than the bulkier, broader-tailed pigeon. But both are in the same family of birds.
Ringneck Dove | Pigeon |
---|---|
9-12 inches long | 11-14 inches long |
Pointed tail | Square tail |
Black neck ring | No neck ring |
Soft croodle-doo coos | Louder coos |
Behavior
Ringneck doves exhibit the following behaviors:
Diet
Ringnecks have an herbivorous diet consisting mainly of seeds and grains. Their natural diet includes:
- Seeds of grasses, shrubs, and trees
- Spilled grain seeds
- Fallen fruit
They forage on the ground for food and also eat grit to aid digestion. In captivity they can be fed a seed mix along with greens and vegetables. They do not eat worms or insects like many other birds.
Social structure
Ringnecks are social birds that gather in flocks of variable size. Their flocking behavior includes:
- Small flocks of 10-20 birds
- Larger flocks of 50+ during migration or when feeding
- Year-round pairs bonding for life
- Cooperative breeding displays
Paired males will display courtship rituals such as bowing, tail-fanning, and vocalizing to attract or bond with a mate.
Migration
Wild ringnecks exhibit some migratory behavior in parts of their range in response to food availability. Movements include:
- Nomadic movement in small flocks
- Seasonal dispersal based on rainfall patterns
- Limited migrations of up to a few hundred miles
But they do not migrate long distances like some other bird species. Their migrations are regional rather than intercontinental.
Vocalizations
Ringneck doves produce soft, melodious cooing sounds. These include:
- Rolling croodle-doo or kroo-kroo-kroo sounds
- Rhythmic cooing between mates
- Nest call to signal chicks to be fed
- Mournful coos if threatened
Their gentle cooing is quieter and less noisy than the coos of many pigeons. Doves are symbols of peace in many cultures, partly inspired by their soothing calls.
Interaction with humans
Wild ringnecks are somewhat wary of humans but may become accustomed to people in parks and other settings where they are regularly fed. Captive ringnecks readily become docile, tame, and comfortable around their human caretakers. Their popularity as pets stems from their calm, gentle nature.
Reproduction and lifespan
Here are some key facts about ringneck dove reproduction and longevity:
- Sexually mature at 6-12 months old
- Breed year-round but most active in warmer months
- 2-5 white eggs per clutch
- Incubated by both parents for 14-18 days
- Chicks fledge at 11-15 days old
- May have 4-8 breeding cycles per year
- Average lifespan 5-15 years in captivity
- Lifespan 1-5 years in the wild
Ringnecks form monogamous pair bonds and share parenting duties. The male gathers nesting material while the female constructs the nest. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs and later feeding the squabs regurgitated crop milk when they hatch.
In captivity with ample food and protection from predators, ringnecks commonly live for more than 10 years. But in the wild their lifespan is reduced to just a few years on average.
Keeping ringneck doves as pets
The pleasant temperament and attractive appearance of ringneck doves has made them popular as pets. Some tips for keeping them include:
- Housing: A roomy cage or aviary, ideally wider than tall. Provide multiple perches at different heights.
- Company: Keep pairs or groups, as they are social. Single doves may get lonely.
- Food: Dove seed mix, supplemented with greens and vegetables.
- Water: Provide a clean water bowl or dispenser daily.
- Cage: Line the bottom with bird-safe litter, spot clean daily, and change fully weekly.
- Accessories: Add hideaways, nest boxes, and toys for enrichment.
- Temperature: Avoid drafts and keep out of direct sunlight, they prefer moderate temps.
Ringnecks are easy to tame and become quite comfortable perching or sitting on their owner’s finger or shoulder when socialized. Their soft coos and friendly nature make them delightful companions when properly cared for.
Fun facts
Here are some interesting facts about ringneck doves:
- Their scientific name is Streptopelia risoria.
- Ringnecks are the smallest members of the Streptopelia genus of doves.
- They are sometimes called Barbary doves, but this is a misnomer since they are not native to the Barbary region.
- The ring on their neck results from iridescent feather tips that change color at different angles.
- Georges Cuvier, the founder of paleontology, kept a pet ringneck dove.
- In Indonesia, ringneck doves are popularly kept as pets in wooden cages.
- Poet Pablo Neruda wrote an ode to a pet ringneck dove that escaped and later returned to him.
- Ringnecks were depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics more than 4,000 years ago.
- Their soft coo inspired the 2011 pop song “Coo Coo” by Jukebox the Ghost.
- Prices range from $20-50 for common ringneck doves.