Diamond Dove acting strangely

[Kiishka]

My female diamond dove has been acting strangely for the last few days. I noticed her on the perch 'flicking' the tips of her wings, almost like a horse shrugging off a fly. I haven't been home much lately, so I hadn't been able to get an idea of how frequently it had been happening. This morning, she installed herself very shakily on a horizontal platform perch and has not moved for hours. She's not puffed up, but will sit there and stare at the floor twitching her wings and making that peculiar little growl sound that diamond doves make. Normally she's active and will sidestep away from me when I come up to the cage, but she is determined not to move and even let me pet her. I'm concerned. Suggestions?

[Kiishka]

On a possibly related note, i went to the local pet store and noticed that they had a single male half-molted Gould for sale. It also sat on the perch and did this same wing-flicking behavior, which I had never seen before. My first thought was 'this bird is sick!'

[Lisa]

Is it possible she's too warm?

[annague]

Kat,

I can tell you exactly what is "wrong"; I have had dozens of DD's but am now down to one pair.

In as few words as possible: Your little girl wants to nest and is calling for a mate. Oftentimes this behavior is initiated by the male and the hen responds but when there is no male a hen will initiate this behavior to try to call a mate to her.

The drive to mate is very strong in DD's and when the hens want to nest they find a likely site and if they are not mated can spend hours with their heads lowered, flicking their wings and issuing the "come to nest" coo -- which is that growly sound you are hearing from her. They can seem almost in a trance if they are very determined about it.

She needs a friend if you do not want to mate her but even with another hen there will probably be times she does the "come to nest" coo and invitational wing flutter.

One of the charms of the winsome Diamond Dove.

[FancyFinch]

aww that's a sad story. Poor little thing!

[Kiishka]

Anna, I was wondering if it was something egg or breeding related. She's seemed kind of broody lately, and the finches have been particularly cuddly to her. To quote Bambi, she's twitterpated!! You're the best Anna, thank you!!

[annague]

De Nada. Glad to help -- I've gotten tons of help from others on this forum so I enjoy "paying it forward."

[Kiishka]

After all this I guess she got impatient. Found two eggs today

[cindy]

Great call Anna!!

Kiishka, glad your hen is not ill. Will you get her a friend to keep her company?

[waxbill lover]

I was going to say, sounds more like a courtship display, rather thank sickness. As for the gould at the petstore, I've never seen nor heard of gouldians acting in this way. Usually they will hop up and down, and shake their heads vigourously and sing all the while.

[DanteD716]

will yo be getting her a mate?

[annague]

After all this I guess she got impatient. Found two eggs today

Yeah, they do that sometimes if they are very anxious to nest. I hope you can find her a nice friend.

[Kiishka]

After a failed attempt at moving (long story involving two whole-house moves in 3 days...) I am settling in. Will be buying the supplies for my aviary with my holiday overtime money ;) At that point I will be getting her a *female* friend, and hopefully lots more finches as well

[annague]

Sorry to hear about your moving woes -- moving is never fun.

I think a female friend for your DD will help her a lot.

[DanteD716]

Congrats, cannot wait to see her!