Fun Diamond Dove Facts For Kids

The diamond dove (geopelia cuneata) is a particularly small bird considering it belongs to the dove family. However, what helps this species stand out is the red circle around its eyes. These birds, which also make for great pets provided you can offer them the environment they need to be happy, are also welcome in urban territories since diamond doves are not particularly noisy birds. Quite gentle by nature, the dove, true to its kind, is a peaceful species and does not do well in violent confrontations. Read on to discover some interesting facts about these diamond-winged members of the Columbidae family.

Here are some fantastic facts on white diamond dove birds for your perusal. After reading these diamond dove facts, do check our other articles on the snowy egret and the mountain plover as well.

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What type of animal is a diamond dove?

Diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) is a bird that has the ability to fly great distances, just like other birds.

What class of animal does a diamond dove belong to?

The diamond dove belongs to the class Aves. Diamond doves are warm-blooded creatures that have a vertebral column, a beak, feathers, a light skeletal structure, lays eggs in order to reproduce, and have four chambers in their heart.

How many diamond doves are there in the world?

The diamond dove is a fairly common species of bird that is found readily in, not only its natural habitats but also in urban parks and gardens. This, along with the fact that its global population numbers seem to be holding steady, has resulted in its being classified as a species of Least Concern in terms of conservation efforts. There isn’t, however, a specific figure that can quantify the global population of the diamond dove.

Where does a diamond dove live?

A diamond dove typically lives in flat grasslands, open forests, and free terrains which have some sort of a water body near it. Most typically, diamond doves are found in Australia in its northern and central parts.

What is a diamond dove's habitat?

A diamond dove typically lives in flat grasslands, open forests, and free terrains which have some sort of water body near it. Nowadays, due to urban settlements replacing wild forests and areas, are also home to the diamond doves who can be seen frequenting public parks which have vast expanses of lawn, plants, and shrubbery, and trees wherein diamond doves can build their nests.

Who do diamond doves live with?

Diamond doves usually live in pairs within communities of the same birds in nests. This is primarily because the diamond dove is a harmonious and sociable bird generally and thrives when it lives with its kind. However, diamond doves can also be comfortable around humans as long as there isn’t much physical contact with them. Diamond doves are generally sociable and friendly birds, they would also develop a bond with the humans that take care of them.

How long does a diamond dove live?

The average diamond dove lifespan can go up to 10 years of age.

How do they reproduce?

There isn’t much data regarding the reproductive habits of the diamond dove mating or diamond dove breeding due to a lack of observation of the species in its natural habitat. However, from what is known, it can be observed that the diamond dove is, by nature, a monogamous species in terms of breeding. This species, however, do not mate for life. Rather, the diamond dove only mates with another diamond dove female during mating season, which is at its peak after monsoons. Usually, the breeding process involves the male diamond doves trying to woo the females by offering them food or puffing their feathers up in front of the females and strutting for them. Having done so, when the two birds mate, the female lays a clutch of two diamond dove eggs, which she then incubates for 13 to 14 days. Incubation is done by both the mother and the father and once the eggs hatch, the chicks fledge in about two weeks.

What is their conservation status?

Diamond doves are classified as a species of Least Concern with respect to these bird's conservation status by the IUCN Red List. The diamond dove is a fairly common species of bird that is found readily in their natural habitats as well as in urban parks and gardens. This, along with the fact that its global population numbers seem to be holding steady, has resulted in its being classified as a species of Least Concern in terms of conservation efforts. There isn’t, however, a specific figure that can quantify the global population of the diamond dove.

What do diamond doves look like?

Diamond doves, to begin with, are quite small despite belonging to the family of doves. Diamond dove birds are characterized by the ring around their eyes which is normally red in color. The males, by default, have a larger eye-ring, whereas the females have a comparatively smaller one which makes for easy differentiation for human observers. Diamond doves vary in color. The dorsal feathers of these birds are normally greyish in color, which fade into off-whitish bellies. Their wings sport tiny white dots, which is the reason for the name diamond doves. Diamond doves can, however, also occur in different colors, including brown, red, pied, cinnamon, and white but the most common color in nature is the grey or silver one.

How cute are they?

Diamond dove babies are very sociable birds who make soft coos or diamond dove cooing from time to time, are quite cute with their adorable eye-ring. A blue diamond dove is also a sight to behold.

How do they communicate?

Diamond dove calls or diamond dove sounds are used to communicate with their mate and other diamond doves using soft and rather mellow noises. A diamond dove coo's meaning can be interpreted by some experienced people who have knowledge of a diamond dove call and loud coos.

How big is a diamond dove?

A diamond dove size measures about 7.5-8.0 in long, including the length from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail. This nesting bird is roughly one and a half to two times the size of a common house sparrow.

How fast can a diamond dove fly?

The diamond dove birds usually prefer to walk or run around on the ground. However, when necessary, these birds will fly at decent speeds in straight lines.

How much does a diamond dove weigh?

The diamond dove birds weigh only about 1.5-1.6 oz.

What are their male and female names of the species?

A male diamond dove is called a cock whereas a female is referred to as a hen.

What would you call a baby diamond dove?

A baby dove diamond dove is referred to as a chick or a squab. A diamond dove baby is extremely adorable and cute.

What do they eat?

They are granivorous which means that diamond doves eat a diet of grains and seeds of different kinds. Sometimes, they can also depend on different insects for their food and diet requirements.

Are they friendly?

Diamond doves aren’t particularly friendly with humans unless they have a bond with them. However, if you do attempt to pet these pigeons, being a naturally gentle bird, diamond doves will accept your affection. Diamond dove nesting place shouldn't be harmed.

Would they make a good pet?

If your house has a child who could try and physically play with the pet birds, then a diamond bird is not a good pet for you. If, however, you can provide these pet birds with spacious cages or space in your house wherein these pigeons can walk around or fly a little bit while also giving them space, this bird could be a good pet. Before you get a diamond dove pet for yourself, do acquire knowledge about diamond dove care, the diamond dove diet, and the diamond dove cage.

Did you know...

Diamond doves store seeds in their throat and then digest them later.

Diamond doves don’t have gallbladders.

Diamond doves are extremely adaptive and, due to their high metabolism and physical endurance, can survive any weather unless it is extremely harsh.

Difference between young and adult diamond dove

The offspring of the Geopelia cuneata differ from the adult of their species in possession of the distinguishing factor of the species; that is the white spots and patterns of its wings.

How many varieties of diamond dove are there?

Diamond doves can also occur in different colors, including brown, red, pied, cinnamon, white, but the most common color in nature is the grey or silver one.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the snow goose and the yellow warbler.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Diamond dove coloring pages.

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