Ringneck Dove - Strange Vocalizations

[Eelhsa]

I am posting this in the hope of gaining some insight into these vocalizations my female Ringneck dove, Sable, has been making.

Sable is almost 1 year old (my husband and I have had her since she was approximately 4 months old). She has been making these sounds more frequently lately, however, I was initially not really concerned as the Ringneck doves I have had in the past would also make this noise from time to time, but seemed fine otherwise.

Sable also seems healthy in every other way. She is eating and drinking normally, is alert and seems to have good energy levels. The only issue (if it is an issue at all) is this seemingly unusual sound she has been making.

I hope that someone will be able to give some clarification and/or suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

 

[i like emus]

I don't know a lot about doves but it could be sneezing coughing hiccups

 

[i like emus]

It may be a mating call do you have two any bird needs two of them

 

[Eelhsa]

Hi I Like Emus.

Thank you for your reply. I am fairly certain that the sounds she is making are not a mating call (as their mating call is different altogether). It seems more likely that this vocalization would be some sort of distress or alarm sound, if it isn't health related (and she really does seem otherwise perfectly healthy).

And as to your other question, right now we only have her. We do hope to get her a mate in the future.

 

[i like emus]

Do you think she could be making it because she Is lonely and it's not hiccups coughing sneezing

 

[Eelhsa]

Do you think she could be making it because she Is lonely and it's not hiccups coughing sneezing

I suppose it's a possibility, but as I said in my OP, I had 4 doves in the past, and they would still make this sound occasionally. As they were not alone, that doesn't seem to be the reason. Also, although I know that human interaction doesn't replace intereaction with other doves, my husband and I do spend a lot of time with her. She is friendly and cuddly and likes to sit by us.

 

[JaeG]

It sounds like an extremely shortened version of their 'laughing' call so maybe she's trying to communicate with you - imitating you perhaps? Do you say "hey" or "hi" to her? Doves are smart and I have no idea if they do try and imitate other birds (or people), but that's the only explanation I can come up with.

We have a ringneck dove called Tilly who flew in one day and landed on our heads. We couldn't find her owner and she lives in our aviary with finches and bourkes parakeets, and we adore her. They are such sweet and gentle birds.

 

[Eelhsa]

It sounds like an extremely shortened version of their 'laughing' call so maybe she's trying to communicate with you - imitating you perhaps? Do you say "hey" or "hi" to her? Doves are smart and I have no idea if they do try and imitate other birds (or people), but that's the only explanation I can come up with.

We have a ringneck dove called Tilly who flew in one day and landed on our heads. We couldn't find her owner and she lives in our aviary with finches and bourkes parakeets, and we adore her. They are such sweet and gentle birds.

Doves are lovely, I adore them.

Thank you for the suggestion. It could very likely be a different vocal sound she's making to try saying something different than her regular coo or "laugh."

 

[Michael P]

I love ringneck doves and have bred them for 15 years. I don't think this is a symptom of disease. My doves in outdoor aviaries make similar noises in two situations.

1. Aerial predator warning. The sound is usually more "urgent" sounding than your video, but still soft. Hawks are the usual cause, but other large birds (crows) or even airplanes or balloons will sometimes set them off. They usually stare with one eye at the danger. They see it long before I do, and I have to follow their gaze to find the intruder.

2. Soft contact call. My birds rarely do this because they are all caged with others of the same species. But occasionally they make this quiet call at dusk when they are settling on their roosts for the night. I think this is what your bird is doing.

 

[Eelhsa]

I love ringneck doves and have bred them for 15 years. I don't think this is a symptom of disease. My doves in outdoor aviaries make similar noises in two situations.

1. Aerial predator warning. The sound is usually more "urgent" sounding than your video, but still soft. Hawks are the usual cause, but other large birds (crows) or even airplanes or balloons will sometimes set them off. They usually stare with one eye at the danger. They see it long before I do, and I have to follow their gaze to find the intruder.

2. Soft contact call. My birds rarely do this because they are all caged with others of the same species. But occasionally they make this quiet call at dusk when they are settling on their roosts for the night. I think this is what your bird is doing.

Thank you for taking the time to share your insight.

When I had the 4 doves several years ago, I did always think that perhaps it was some kind of distress/warning call. (Although mine were inside and couldn't see any actual predators.)

In any case, she does seem very healthy, and it's reassuring to know that this is a sound that doves do make for various reasons.

Thanks again.