You can rarely meet such a marvel, the crowned dove is completely different from our usual street "vagabonds". In large cities where there are stationary zoos, they are often present at the exposition and always attract the attention of visitors.
Natural habitat
The tropics are the homeland of delicious fruits, magnificent flowers and beautiful birds. Crowned pigeon was no exception. He lives in the forests of New Guinea, and is distributed on the nearby islands. These birds, like their city brethren, prefer flocking life and stay in groups. They create couples for life, remaining faithful to the partner.
They rarely use their wings, preferring to walk more on the ground. The type of food corresponds to the way of life; fruits, various seeds, grass, and insects that have fallen from the trees go to food. Running in search of food, they resemble pheasants.
Description
These are the largest birds from the entire pigeon family. Their size, color and luxurious crown surprise and delight. Nursery owners are well aware of the diversity of birds of this family, but the crowned dove is a true decoration of any collection.
There are three species of these birds:
- blue-crested;
- chestnut chest;
- fan-bearing crowned dove.
The size of an adult is about the size of a small chicken. Length up to 90 cm, weight up to 1.5 kg. The largest representative is the fan-bearing pigeon, its weight reaches 2.5 kg. The paws with short fingers are covered with thyroid scales. Wings, despite the fact that the crowned pigeon uses them rarely, are strong and long enough. From the 4th to the 7th, the feathers are much longer than the rest and, folded on the back, cover it to the very tail.
Bright coloring is what sets these birds apart even against the backdrop of the vibrant nature in their native jungle. The upper body is blue, with a slight gray tint; from the breast to the stomach, the color changes to chestnut or brown. The white transverse stripe on the wings, which is emphasized by a narrower, grayish-blue, shades a bright blue.
The main thing is, of course, a hat. Without it, a pigeon would not have received such a beautiful name, and it would have looked much more modest. Magnificent, like a lace, translucent fan, feathery feathers form each of which frames the outgrowth in the form of an elongated triangle. The fan-bearing pigeon is distinguished by black-and-white peaks of the crest of feathers. The tail complements the beautiful plumage of birds, it is long, wide and elegantly rounded at the end.
Where to get
In specialized nurseries that work with birds. In large cities, there is usually one or more.
In Moscow, they sell various birds from the nurseries of Germany, near Kaluga there is a whole center for the maintenance and breeding of animals and birds. Remember that this is the only way you can get a really healthy, young and tame individual that will become the best decoration of your country house.
Any offers to buy a bird from hand without documents are dangerous. It can be smuggled out of nature and not tolerate the resulting stress. If you liked the crowned dove, the price may well cool the ardor. It can be from 100 to 180 thousand rubles. To this amount should be added the cost of maintenance.
Conditions of detention
Since it is a tropical bird, open enclosures are not suitable for it even in summer, since the difference in day and night temperatures (especially in the rainy season) can be significant. A tight cage for this magnificent bird is not suitable, the aviary must be large.
The bird gets used to our climate quickly enough, as well as to the conditions of captivity. If you buy a pigeon, which is grown in a nursery, then an aviary in your house will become quite a habitual dwelling for him.
If you have a couple, equip it with a place for the nest, it can be a small basket or a wicker frame, which should be fixed higher. For interior decoration, provide the birds with dry branches of grass, a thin bark of trees.
Nutrition
In captivity, the crowned pigeon feeds on grain mixtures, which should include rye, sunflower, nuts, rice, millet, peas, corn, and soy. Be sure to have chicken yolk, fresh cottage cheese, boiled meat and carrots in the diet. Animal feed is also needed for the proper development of the bird, it can be worms, insects, snails and larvae. Remember to give fresh water and green grass.
Breeding
In good conditions, birds live from 12 to 20 years and willingly breed. This period has to fall. The female lays 2 eggs, after which the couple takes turns warming them. Shortly before the birth of the chicks, a special thick “milk” begins to stand out in the goiter of the female, with which she will feed the babies for about three weeks.
I must say that they are born without plumage and with eyes closed. In the fourth week of life, a male joins the feeding of the grown up chicks, now they are on duty in turn, one feeds the children, burping semi-digested food, the second searches for seeds and fruits.
Brief conclusions
If you love birds and want to decorate your house with something elegant and exotic, then one of the best options will be a crowned dove. Photos set by nurseries will help you find your pet, and experienced experts will tell you all the secrets of caring for him.