birds free wallpaper 99: Diamond Dove

Monday 11 June 2012

Diamond Dove

Diamond Dove Biography
A diminutive pigeon with a long tail, the Diamond Dove is so-named because of the many tiny, white spots scattered over the upper surface of its wings; otherwise it is a particularly drab bird with a bright-red ring around its eye. Diamond Doves are gregarious, sometimes forming small flocks of up to 30 birds which forage together on the ground, pecking at seeds while walking slowly across open areas, such as along roadsides, or through patches of short grass, but they usually avoid areas of long grass.

The Diamond Dove is the smallest Australian Dove, with a distinctive red eye-ring, blue-grey head and breast. The back and wings are smoky brown with fine white spots on the wings. In flight, there is a distinctive chestnut wing panel. The female is browner. It is also known as Little Dove or Red-eyed Dove.

The Peaceful Dove is similar, though it has a blue-green eye-ring and scalloped black and white plumage on the breast and upper back. The Diamond Dove is smaller and slimmer, with a proportionally longer tail.

Diamond Doves are endemic to Australia (found only here) and fairly widely distributed in arid and semi-arid grassland Diamond Doves gather in small parties or flocks in dry open savanna in mulga areas often among spinifex or grasses. They are also often in open riparian woodland (beside waterways).

These doves feed on the ground for seeds from herbs and grasses and are never far from water. They walk seadately when feeding but can run quickly, with tail raised, if disturbed.

Diamond Doves breed throughout their range, at any time after heavy rainfall. The nest is small flimsy platform of fine twigs or grass stems in low shrub or a scrubby tree. The eggs may be visible through the nest material. Both birds incubate and the eggs are never left unattended. Both also feed the young.

Diamond Dove