Are Doves Low Dust Birds?

[savypavy64]

Or any other soft beaks for that matter? I have tried doing research on this but the internet has failed me on this one. Also what species of doves are the kinds that you can hold and not just watch? Thanks!

[boothcreek]

Doves are dusty birds, since they use powder to clean and maintain their feathers instead of oils. Kinda like african greys, Cockatoos and Cockatiels I suppose(my cockatiel cage and my dove cage have the same layer of dust all around it). I know that among pigeon/dove breeders there is a lot of worry about some chronic lung disease associated with keeping these birds.
The only types of commonly available doves are the Ringneck(comes in a multitude of colours) and the Diamond doves. The Ringnecks makes wonderful pets, they tame down nicely and usually don't mind being held or ride around on your shoulder.
Not so sure about the Diamonds, I have heard they are flighty and very quick. They are very small birds too, so maybe not the best when it comes to handling.
You could also keep a pigeon(they are just as dusty tho), there are around a hundred different breeds out there, from big to small, frilly and plain, and some of the most unique colour varieties. A pigeon should be hand raised tho, otherwise getting them tame is not quite as easy as with the ringnecks.

Not sure about the more exotic and hard to get dove varieties(laceneck, bleeding hearts etc), they usually cost quite a bit more then ringnecks or diamonds(like $200 + more) and usually have very specialized space, housing and diet requirements(thus not pet material).

Hope this helps,
Anna

[Jojopotato]

I have a pigeon and A Ringneck dove and they are wonderful birds... I dont find them to be any messier than a parakeet, I own two of them as well... My birds have the roam of the house and the biggest mess is the poo... Gotta clean up after them daily, like having kids... LOL

Any how I love them... and they do well with other birds too. My Budgies, Dove and Pigeon all hang together on the floor in a little flock.. They are not cage birds, I mean you can cage them and i do have a cage for them where they eat, they sleep on top.. But they need lots of flying room...