How long do Ringneck Doves live?
Ringneck doves commonly live 10-15 years, occasionally up to 25 in captivity with excellent care.
What do Ringneck Doves eat?
Feed a dove/pigeon seed mix plus a small amount of pellets, with grit and calcium (cuttlebone or oyster shell) always available; avoid avocado and chocolate. Fresh water and a bath daily. During breeding and molt, add egg food or protein.
Ringneck Dove cage and daily life
Keep a pair in a cage at least 24 x 18 x 18 inches (60 x 45 x 45 cm), bar spacing about 1/2 inch, with perches, a nest bowl, and a bath. They are gentle and do well in a quiet room; protect from drafts. Keep away from kitchens (Teflon/PTFE fumes are lethal).
Common mistakes with Ringneck Doves
Common errors are no grit/calcium (egg-binding, weak bones), seed-only diets lacking variety, and damp or drafty housing. Nonstick-fume exposure and toxic foods like avocado and chocolate are acute killers.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- No grit and calcium, causing egg-binding and weak bones.
- Feeding seed only without pellets or greens, causing deficiency.
- Damp or drafty housing, leading to respiratory and foot problems.
- Exposing the cage to Teflon/PTFE fumes or toxic foods like avocado and chocolate.