The diamond turtle-dove is one of the most beautiful and graceful birds. She is not afraid of the person and can quite get on with other songbirds. This turtle-dove of group of pigeon received the name diamond for an original color of plumage.
Coloring of plumage
The turtle-dove diamond treats group of pigeon. This is one of the least turtle-doves who strikingly differs from others in the original color of plumage. Usually the head, a neck and a bottom of a body of a bird have an ash-gray color, and the head and a tail brownish brown. But the main feature is that wings of a diamond turtle-dove as if are covered with small white specks as if diamonds. From here and such name.
But the turtle-dove has also other unique distinctive features. It is about reddish rings around each of eyes. At males the red rim is much brighter and wider, than at females.
Where do diamond turtle-doves live?
Birds with unusual plumage live in the territory of Australia. Especially they like to lodge on open spaces. Often the place of residence of turtle-doves is the plain with a reservoir nearby. These birds very much like to get warm in the sun, having spread on the ground. Almost always they try to keep in couples or small flocks. Diamond turtle-doves should spend a considerable part of time in search of a forage – seeds of various herbs and small insects. Ants are favourite bird's delicacy.
Features of the period of nesting
Process of reproduction of diamond turtle-doves is very curious. The marriage period can come at all seasons of the year. Here a lot of things depend on the area of residence. During courting the male effectively inflates a craw, lifts and straightens a tail. For nesting the birds try to choose tree branches at insignificant height. The dry grass becomes construction material usually. It is interesting that the female lays only two snow-white eggs. And their parents in turn hatch out. Usually this process lasts about two weeks. But the hatched baby birds are not ready to get independently at once to themselves food therefore they are brought up within eleven days. By the way, diamond turtle-doves already long time enjoy special popularity among manufacturers. It is caused by their fast adaptation to accommodation in cages and open-air cages. They can successfully breed also in bondage. However, birds with diamond plumage very much need bright lighting and heat. Such conditions of the house cannot almost be provided. Therefore manufacturers often establish ultra-violet lamps in cages. Especially it is necessary during reproduction.