Diamond dove

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Diamond pigeons
Diamond pigeons

Diamond pigeons

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Geopelia
Type : Diamond pigeons
Scientific name
Geopelia cuneata
( Latham , 1802)
Diamond pigeons
Close up view
Close up view

The diamond dove ( Geopelia cuneata ) is a small, graceful species of pigeon . It belongs to the fauna of Australia and occurs almost all over the continent; it is absent only in the southwest and east and in the coastal areas of southeast Queensland and New South Wales . Among the Australian pigeon species it is considered to be the species that has adapted to a particularly high degree to life in arid regions. However, open water points must be available a few kilometers away.

Diamond pigeons play an important role in keeping wild pigeons and are considered to be one of the most frequently bred wild pigeons. The species is often used to compare body size and shape with other pigeon birds.

Appearance

Diamond pigeons reach a body length of 19.5 centimeters and weigh an average of 45 grams. They are roughly the size of a lark . The sexual dimorphism is only very slight. As a rule, the plumage of the female shows a little more brown on the rear neck and coat.

The head and chest are slate gray, the upper wing covers are fawn brown with white speckles. These fine, white, round spots gave it its name. The belly and the under tail-covers are lightened. The tail is very long in relation to the body. The middle four tail feathers are gray-brown with a darker tip. The outer tail feathers are white at their base. The iris is orange-red. The naked, bright red eye ring is striking.

The call of the diamond pebbles is softly cooing, often the male cooing a short gru-gru twice in succession , after which the female usually answers with a rough gruuh . The calls are slow and have a plaintive effect on people. During courtship, the calling male stilts his tail and fans it out.

behavior

Diamond doves are inhabitants of open woodlands and tree and shrub savannas. They depend on the proximity of water. They stay on the ground during the day. They only sit in the branches of trees and bushes at night and during the rest of the day. Unlike many other Australian bird species, they do not seek shade during the hottest part of the day, but rather sit on the ground, sunbathing. Diamond pigeons mainly eat the fine seeds of various grasses and take up their food almost exclusively on the ground. However, ants also belong to their food spectrum. The movement on the ground takes place in small and fast triple steps.

Diamond doves are free breeders who build their loose nests out of grass and twigs in the low branches of a tree or bush. During courtship, the male bows several times to the female. The tail is raised vertically and fanned out. These courtship gestures are accompanied by harsh-sounding whirring noises. The copulation is preceded by the two partners' beaks. Both parent birds are involved in building the nest. Usually the male collects the nesting material, which is then built in by the female. The clutch usually consists of two eggs, which are incubated by both parent birds for 13 days. The nestling period is 11 to 12 days.

The youngsters have not yet reached full size when they fly out of the nest and the tail has not yet reached its full length. When they are fully fledged , they are still being fed by the parent birds until they can eat themselves. The youngsters make squeaking noises that are reminiscent of chicken or ducklings. Diamond pigeons are sexually mature at three to four months. This is unusually early among pigeons.

attitude

Diamond pigeons were first kept by London Zoo in 1868 and bred as early as 1870. The first diamond pigeons came on the market in Germany in 1875. Carl Hagenbeck was one of the first German importers .

Like the laughing pigeon, diamond pigeons play a major role in the keeping of ornamental birds and are among the most widely kept pigeons. Although native to Australia, they are not very sensitive to low temperatures, but are usually overwintered in shelters in Europe's temperate climates. However, please note the applicable animal husbandry ordinance [Austria] or other legal regulations for accommodation in other countries! Color mutations are now also occurring.

Mother with fledglings, 6 and 1 week old

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Münst, p. 107
  2. ↑ Münst, p. 108
  3. ↑ Rösler, p. 174
  4. ↑ Rösler, p. 174
  5. ^ Burnie, p. 248
  6. ↑ Münst, p. 108
  7. ↑ Münst, p. 109
  8. ↑ Rösler, p. 174
  9. ↑ Rösler, p. 175

literature

  • David Burnie (Ed.): Vögel , Munich 2008, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-3-8310-1272-5 .
  • David Gibbs, Eustace Barnes and John Cox: Pigeons and Doves - A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World . Pica Press, Sussex 2001, ISBN 90-74345-26-3 .
  • Alois Münst and Josef Wolters: Tauben - The species of wild pigeons , 2nd expanded and revised edition, Verlag Karin Wolters, Bottrop 1999, ISBN 3-9801504-9-6 .
  • Gerhard Rösler: The wild pigeons of the earth - free life, keeping and breeding , Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld-Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .

Web links

Commons : Diamond Dove ( Geopelia cuneata )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files