Doves (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) [Paperback]

Matthew M. Vriends Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

Special attention is given to breeding, caging, and maintaining the health of these beautiful birds. Advice is included on how to raise doves anywhere from rural areas to crowded urban neighborhoods. Over 30 beautiful, full-color photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812018559
• ISBN-13: 978-0812018554
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Generally well-written but really about wild species only, September 16, 2000

By 

Ronald J. Simpson (Wilmington, Delaware USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doves (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) (Paperback)

The major flaw in this book is that it is nearly totally devoted to the wild dove and pigeon species. It makes very little reference to the domesticated Ringneck and White Doves (Streptopelia risoria), which make excellent, tame pets and have different requirements, in terms of caging and care. Also, what references it does make to domesticated doves is somewhat confusing and inconsistent.

For example, photos of domesticated Ringneck and White Doves (Streptopelia risoria) are labeled, alternatively, "collared pigeons" on page 16, and "collared doves" on pages 37 and 40. However, on page 5, the birds labeled as "collared doves" are probably the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia deocato). I realize that both species may be described by the same common names. However. I think the author should have done a better job in describing which is which, since 'Streptopelia risoria' is extremely domesticated and suitable as a finger-tamed house pet whereas 'Streptopelia deocato' is a wild species suitable only for an outdoor aviary.

This confusion is not only in the photos but in the text as well. For example, the sections on "Housing" and "Doves as Pets" make little or no distinction between the wild and domesticated species. It implies all doves are basically untamable and require large aviaries but then also gets into a discussion about cages. Cages are really only suitable for domesticated species but the book doesn't SAY this anywhere. There is also no mention, anywhere in the book, of the great pet qualities that domesticated Ringneck and White Doves have. So, in my opinion, this book would be very confusing for someone who purchased a tame, domesticated Ringneck or White Dove and want to know how to care for their new pet.

I think this book would be fine if it just stuck to wild dove species. In fact, it should be renamed "Wild Doves". Domesticated Ringneck and White Doves (Streptopelia risoria) really deserve their own separate book but, unfortunately, there really isn't one out there yet. "Doves" by Michael Gos makes a better distinction between domesticated and wild species but his book also tries to cover both types, in one one book, and can also be similarly confusing in text and photo labeling.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on doves I have found, November 27, 2000

By 

Laura Minges - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doves (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) (Paperback)

As a dove owner,I have found this book to be a very clear treatment of dove species, behavior, and health needs. The pictures are interesting and the information provided is far superior to other books on doves that I have read. My only complaint is that more information could be provided on nutrition, but since most dove are such easy keepers (mostly eating seed, millet spray, whole wheat bread, vegetables, and grit) the information on this need not be extensive. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering adding a dove to their household.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Domesticated Ringneck Doves, November 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Doves (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) (Paperback)

There is not enough information given on the domesticated Ringneck Dove. The book emphasizes too much on avaries and wild dove behavior and husbandry. It actually states that keeping a Dove in a cage is not a good idea when the Ringneck is a very good cage bird--but they do have specific husbandry requirements that need to be addressed.