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Diamond Dove
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Geopelia
Species: Geopelia cuneata

The Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) is a bird in the family Columbidae. It is resident in Australia and one of Australia's smallest pigeons along with the Peaceful Dove. Diamond Doves also kept as pets and bred in capitivity.

Description[]

The Diamond Dove is a small dove with a length of 19 to 21 cm and a mass of about 35 g. In the wild, the plumage is bluish-grey with white specks on the wings, though there are mutations of its plumage such as white and silver.

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This Diamond Dove displays its vibrant orange eye ring.

It has an orange-red eye ring, which is more vivid in males than in females, and the wings can also be brownish in color.

Voice[]

Its vocalizations are a mournful, slow, soft cooing with a pleasant quality to them, consisting of 2 long coos followed by a pause and then a long, short and long coo. The alarm coo consists of a few loud short coos.

Behavior[]

Diamond Doves are diurnal species usually seen in small groups or pairs.

Feeding[]

Diamond Doves are ground foragers and mainly granivores. Sometimes they also eat ants. They eat the seeds of herbs and grasses, staying close to water. When feeding, they walk sedately but can run quickly, tail raised, when disturbed.

Breeding and Nesting[]

Not much is known about the Diamond Dove's mating habits. However, Diamond Doves, like other species of pigeons and doves, may either be serially monogamous when pairs stay together during on breeding season only or when pairs mate for life. The male will choose the nest site and court the female by cooing and bowing with tail feathers spread by each bow. The male may also give food to a potential mate, will often puff up his feathers and strut in front of the females. Diamond Doves within their natural range may breed at any time of the year, but most mating activity is observed after heavy rainfall. Nests are a small flimsy platform of grass stems or fine twigs in a scrubby tree or low shrub. The eggs may be seen through the nest material. Usually, two white eggs are laid and the incubation period is 13 to 14 days. Both parents incubate and never leave the eggs unattended. They also both feed the young. The chicks grow fast, and usually are fully feathered and able to fly by 2 weeks.

Distribution and Habitat[]

The Diamond Dove predominantly exists in areas near water, of which are lightly arid or semi-arid in nature, being Central, West and Northern Australia. It has been spotted occasionally in Southern Australia in parks and gardens when the center of Australia is very dry.

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