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TOXINS
PAIN & EMERGENCY

 ENVIRONMENT 

 TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY:
Doves are most comfortable in "mild-to-warm" temperatures. 65°F/20°C to 85°F/29°C with humidity at 50-70%.
When they're ill or injured, the temperature should be 70F/21C to 90F/32C (For more information, refer to the "Medical" page.)

Remembering that a mourning dove is NOT a "domestic" bird, they can, in the wild, tolerate and survive some drastic temperature differences, from the hottest Summer to the coldest Winter days and nights. As a general rule, what's comfortable for you is, most likely, comfortable for both. You'll know if it's too cold for a dove because you'll see a lot of "fluffed" feathers (and this can also indicate sickness, so do keep a watchful eye). Too hot and there will be "panting", "heavy breathing" or lethargy.

Sun-light is essential and necessary, so placing the cage by a well-lit window is certainly preferable. But good sense is tantamount to all... Blazing, direct, hot sun-light, especially on sweltering Summer days isn't only irresponsible, it's cruel.

In Winter, when the house-hold heating is on, your comfort will be fine for a dove. (Just be sure to maintain good humidity or you'll see a LOT of dander, probably feather loss, and a LOT of what might appear to be "preening" but will be scratching.)

 LIGHT:
Sun-light is the most important light-source for a dove to maintain proper health. The UV rays, in which they love to bask and bathe, provides them with the ability to produce vitamin D which is absolutely necessary for their bones, feather, eyes and a vast array of other bodily functions.

Windows, even the cleanest, filtre-out almost all UV, and regular, common window screens do the same, though to a lesser degree. And special "UV Block" screens block so much that they're almost detrimental.

Place the cage near enough to a window where it will receive the maximum-possible exposure to the sun-light, BUT be sure that it's NOT in direct HEAT (especially in the Summer months) AND that at least half of the cage offers shade through the day.

There's a lot of information on-line and in various books on the matter of a need for "Full Spectrum" lighting for birds, in general. And there are those who support as well as those who say, definitively, that it's not necessary. The bottom line, over-all: regular house-hold lighting is perfectly fine. And "Heat Lamps"? Other than in cases of "medical treatment", or for the very young, these aren't necessary either.

Feed properly, with "quality" seed, add fruits and vegetables (See the "Nourishment" page for more on food), provide a place where sun-light (even through a window) is available as long as there's sun up in the sky and you won't have to think about "special lighting".

One word of caution: In the wild, a dove's "clock" runs on the presence and position of the sun, so it's best to keep artificial light use to a minimum. If you have many days of clouds (Winter especially), there's no harm in putting a light on in the room. But when "sun-set" usually comes round, it's best to turn the lights out and "let Nature take its course". Let the "sun set" in the room and give the little dove the opportunity to get to sleep at his/her own pace and time. (And believe me, when it's time to wake up, chances are, you'll be notified. I am, every morning, with a call.) For more on this, see the page about "Cages" and "Covering" them.

 SOUND:
Talk. Have a conversation.

Birds live in a world of sounds... other birds, other animals, people... and except for those times when they're not feeling particularly well, they're not fond of absolute silence. Birds tend to become silent in the presence of predators or other dangers. If you stand in the room or close by in silence, it may be understood as "danger". Predators approach in silence. TALK TO YOUR COMPANION! You might notice that, as you approach, you'll be "greeted" with a little "COO!" Returning the "COO" isn't only polite, it's assuring that you're there as "Friend".

Doves recognise "qualities" of sounds. They recognise "tone", "timbre", and "pitch" not only in the "songs" of other birds but in YOUR voice as well. This includes when you mimic their coo'ing. You'll find that, over time, the responses to your voice, as you talk generally, feathers will ruffle or settle to a "relaxed" appearance, depending on volume and tone. Even in a "chat", when you're voice is soft, caring, assuring, a dove's eyes will close, slowly. You've become a familiar, safe companion. As for "coo'ing", with a little training and conscious effort, when you truly want to, you'll find you'll be able to almost mimic the tone and pitch of your new Friend. It might take you a little time, but even the most sincere effort will soon give you one of the most amazing experiences: both of you will be coo'ing, back and forth, as if having a conversation. Don't despair if it doesn't happen immediately. It will. (I was pleasantly surprised when, one day, as I sat beside Yonah's cage, practising a "coo-WOO-hoo-hoo", he "answered"! The next amazing moment was when he "called" from the next room, I "replied" and he did like-wise. We actually "chatted" for a full 45 minutes! THAT was the beginning of our "Friendship".)

One thing that I've found to be exceptionally calming: there are many recordings of song birds, doves and pigeons available on-line. I'm still acquiring new "files" which I'll play on an old iPod, with a small speaker attached, especially when I have to be out of the house and away for a few hours. The mourning dove recordings usually evoke some interesting responses from a tilt of or raising of the head to out-right chats.

 MUSIC:
A basic: If the music gives you the "jitters", brings the attention of the neighbours, causes the walls to shake, the windows to rattle and the floors to roll it's NOT going to be "soothing" to a dove.

There's an old saying: "Music calms the savage beast." Well, it also soothes the docile bird.

Because doves hear and respond, to tone, timbre, rhythm, music can be an integral part of the general atmosphere in and around the house. Birds, generally, are suspicious of absolute silence over an extended period of time. And since doves are "flocking" creatures, they're used to having company. Silence is solitude and though, at times, being solitary might be appreciated (especially during an illness or recovery from injury) prolonged solitary confinement is unhealthy. SOME sound is better than none. And SOFT sound is better than beating drums, screeching brass and human screaming.

Like-wise, remember that humans are NOT, historically, a dove's best friend... though your company and conversation will come to be appreciated, even comforting, the constant droning of human voices is similar to you being locked in a room where you can't leave, surrounded by people who speak a language completely foreign to you... for DAYS.

Music crosses a great many barriers in comprehension and appreciation. If you listen to a song, with lyrics in a language you don't understand, just the melody alone can convey so very much about the song. Instrumentals, classic or contemporary, are best... But there's nothing wrong with a little "trial and error". Try an array of different types and styles. You might just find yourself in a "sing-along". (Yonah's favourite piece happens to be Dvorak's "Song To The Moon". The first time I played it, from a list of classical and Baroque music, he actually coo'ed to it. He's done the same every time it's played. There are some "folksy" tunes he sings along with as well.)

As you "mix" remember: Birds don't like silence... but they'll fly away from loud, harsh sounds as well. Be kind. Be considerate. Be attentive.

REMEMBER: THIS LITTLE ONE IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN THE COMPANY OF HUMANS, NOT ACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN A CONFINED SPACE BEHIND BARS! S/HE IS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING ABLE TO FLY, FREELY, OVER GREAT DISTANCES, ABOVE TREES AND MEADOWS! IMAGINE HOW YOU WOULD FEEL, TRAPPED, CAGED, AND HAVING LOUD NOISES BLASTED AT YOU FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME! (I liken it to living in a flat next to somebody who blasts the stereo or television, or whose hobby is iron-work... in the middle of and all through the night.)