Is my dove a male or female?

[GoldenBlossoms]

My dove started doing this just a few days ago. It's also the only time they have every let me pet them, is this a male or female behavior? And is she/he ok??

My Dove


I have had them for almost a year now. Also idk why they picked the messy bookcase lol

 

[Amer]

It is ok, that is nesting behavior. It sees you as its mate and is showing you a nice nest spot.

 

[Amer]

I also thought something was wrong when I first saw my pigeons doing that

 

[GoldenBlossoms]

I also thought something was wrong when I first saw my pigeons doing that

Good to know x3 also any idea the gender? I named her Dutchess in the hopes she is a female xD but I don't actually know what they are lol

 

[Amer]

Good to know x3 also any idea the gender? I named her Dutchess in the hopes she is a female xD but I don't actually know what they are lol

Nope

 

[GoldenBlossoms]

Nope

Also good to know x3 thanks lol

 

[Qwerty3159]

That video strikes me as more submissive hen-like behavior but you could just have a calm male.

What sounds does it make? The males bow and coo - constantly.

 

[townchicks]

Doves can be so hard to sex. That does seem more like a female behavior but I have seen my males do it too. Is this your only dove? You can offer a small basket or box as a nest, and you may get eggs. That's the only way to know for sure, unless you have a pair, and see mating. Or if you have two males, and they start fighting.

 

[GoldenBlossoms]

Doves can be so hard to sex. That does seem more like a female behavior but I have seen my males do it too. Is this your only dove? You can offer a small basket or box as a nest, and you may get eggs. That's the only way to know for sure, unless you have a pair, and see mating. Or if you have two males, and they start fighting.

Yah they are my only dove but I don't want to really encourage eggs either lol I get enough eggs to deal with from my chickens xD so I guess I'll just keep hoping they are a female and maybe get a DNA test one day for her lol thanks for the info though. Means a lot to me.

 

[YonahTaube]

When my Little Guy first started doing that, my heart broke, thinking he was having seizures! But from searching all over the internet and watching the doves in the yard I came to learn that it was his little "mating dance", as it were. It was accompanied by a soft "oo-HOOooo" too. But unlike your Little One, he doesn't like having his head/neck tussled (at all). I've seen the doves out-side going through this and the females seem to be the ones who enjoy the physical attention so you might just have your Little Lady there.
(It's almost frightening to see that the first time though. To be sure!)