Ringed Turtle Dove Care

[Amyrose]

A friend found a ringed turtle dove and gave it to me & hubby to care for. I used google to find out what I could about ringed turtle doves. Based on all I could find to read we made the choice to keep it (Him/Her?). We have named her Lovey. :love: We have a nice big green house kitchen window that we have made into a nice home for Lovey. We can close the blinds to keep her in the window area. We seldom do this. The information I read said it was good for her to fly around the house to get exercize so we let Lovey go wherever she wants. She follows us from room to room and seems to like our company. I am feeding her fortified parakeet food with grit added for digestion. I can't seem to get her to try any type of fruit.
Now for my questions. Does anyone one out there know how I can tell if it is male or female? What is the life expectancy of a ringed turtle dove? What is a good why to temp Lovey to try new foods? Is there a better seed mix that I should get? Any special needs I should provide for?
We truly enjoy Lovey and want to do all we can for her. Any help you can send an ignorant new bird owner will be appreciated by us and Lovey

[BullLover]

Originally Posted by Amyrose

Now for my questions. Does anyone one out there know how I can tell if it is male or female? What is the life expectancy of a ringed turtle dove? What is a good why to temp Lovey to try new foods? Is there a better seed mix that I should get? Any special needs I should provide for?
We truly enjoy Lovey and want to do all we can for her. Any help you can send an ignorant new bird owner will be appreciated by us and Lovey

Now for some answers....

You have to have a blood test done to determine the sex of your bird. This can be done by drawing blood, or from a blood feather, but only a vet can provide this service. Or, the cheaper way.....You can wait and see if it lays an egg or not. If it's a boy, he won't lay at all.

Doves usually life about 10-15 years old in the wild, so you'd be looking around 15+ years.

Birds are pickey eaters. My guy doesn't like a lot of foods. There are special "bugs n' barries" that your guy would probably like. If he/she seems interested in it, then let him/her try it. Just try to keep away from caffine, salted foods, and don't lay heavily into dairy foods. I feed my guy yogurt and ice cream, but only once in a while. Also, in terms of veggies, try to stay away from iceburg lettuce and celery. They are mostly made up of water and often cause messy messes. The food that you are feeding is probably okay for her, I know that some petstores sell a "dove" food that you can mix with it to give her a little more variety. Try to give her grapes, or apple sauces, or something mushy. She will probably like that better than a piece of apple and other hard fruits.

One last thing, please make sure that your bird is caged when you aren't home and at night. Not only for your birds safety, but for yours too.

Hope this helps!

[chico2]

"My"Ringed Turtle Dove is still around in my backyard,she goes to the feeders.
Last night she was hovering in a corner of the yard,with the terrible wind we had,I thought she was sick,but quickly flew off on my approached.
HS lent me a cage to try to catch her,but she is not tame,there is no way I can catch her,she is even more frightened than my pigeons.
I worry about her a lot,she is so beautiful,will she survive the winter???
Is there anything else I can do for her,other than feeding her???