In support of club members that raise doves, either exclusively or in addition to their pigeons, the VP&FPA recently acquired 50 dove show cages. An article on doves therefore seems timely.

There are around 300 species of pigeons and doves (Family Columbidae) in the world. The terms pigeon and dove can be used interchangeably but the larger species are commonly referred to as pigeons and the smaller ones as doves. Doves share the same two characteristics that make pigeons distinct from all other birds; when drinking they immerse their beak and suck up water rather than dipping the beak in and tilting their head back to swallow and they feed their newly hatched young with crop milk. The Canadian Dove Association's 2008 census lists over 50 species of doves kept by North American fanciers. While some exotic dove species are exhibited at specialty shows, the vast majority of doves at competitive shows and the only ones appearing in the pigeon standard book, are the 2 domesticated species, the ringneck dove and the diamond dove. Unlike domesticated pigeon breeds, all of which originated from a single ancestral pigeon species (Columba livia), the two domesticated doves are separate species , the ringneck dove (Streptopelia risoria) and the diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) and have quite different origins.

The ringneck dove, also known as the barbary dove, has been domesticated for over 2000 years and does not exist in the wild. Its origins are a little murky but it is generally believed to be a domestic form of the Eurasian collared dove with some more recent interbreeding with the African collared dove. This belief is supported by the fact that feral populations of escaped ringneck doves exist around Los Angeles and freely interbreed with Eurasian collared doves that were introduced to North America some time ago. The real attraction to ringneck doves are the many varieties which have come through mutations, particularly during the latter half of the twentieth century. Currently a dozen genes have been identified that are mutations to the original dark (wild-type) bird. These genes are for colour (eg. ivory, rosy, tangerine) or trait (eg. crested, tufted, silky) and so far have resulted in the over 40 phenotype varieties now recognized and appearing regularly at competitive shows and exhibitions. At first glance these varieties with their fanciful names such as frosty ash pearled can be confusing but become interesting once you are familiar with the basics of dove genetics. The book "Ringneck Doves, A Handbook of Care & Breeding" by K. Wade Oliver has an excellent section on dove genetics and is recommended.

The diamond dove is one of the smallest doves in the world and native to northern and central Australia where they live in open areas usually near a water source. They are easily kept and bred in captivity and there are records of them being kept as far back as the 1870s. As in the ringneck dove a number of genes have been identified that are colour mutations of the original blue (wild-type) bird resulting in over 20 phenotype varieties being currently recognized. Diamond doves are not as hardy as ringneck doves and are not seen at competitive shows as often due in part to their special cage requirements. A booklet "Diamond Doves, A Guide to Colors & Care" by Jeff Downing is recommended.

Starting this year, expect to see VP&FPA members including doves as part of our fundraising displays at the Abbotsford AgriFair and PNE and exhibiting doves at our 2009 Lawn Show and Winter Show.