I adopted a male ringneck dove ("Ernie") from the animal shelter about a year ago. He has a half-open band on his leg that says TF 96 1005, so I am guessing he was born in 1996 (the shelter did not know his age).
Ernie is a healthy single bird and allowed to fly freely throughout the house most of the time. He spends a lot of time attacking a mirror or stuffed animal dog toys. He also seems to "court" these things.
Here is the problem: in the past few months he has become increasingly aggressive toward my pug dog. She is older and not very active. He follows her around and pecks at her, flaps her with his wings, etc. I am always there (I lock him in his cage when I am not home), and I immediately intervene and shoo him away from the dog. It used to be occasional (maybe once a day). However, it's getting to be a continuous problem.
It's not fair to my dog to be harassed (she usually just ignores the bird or tries to get away from him peacefully) and I'm getting sick of having to constantly referee the bird (who doesn't seem to learn to leave her alone).
1. Is it possible to curb this behavior, or is it just part of having a male ringneck dove?
2. Does it sound like he would be better off in a home with other doves to interact with? I am attached to him, but I have considered it may be better for him to give him to a good multi-dove home if nothing can be done about this behavior.
Ernie is a healthy single bird and allowed to fly freely throughout the house most of the time. He spends a lot of time attacking a mirror or stuffed animal dog toys. He also seems to "court" these things.
Here is the problem: in the past few months he has become increasingly aggressive toward my pug dog. She is older and not very active. He follows her around and pecks at her, flaps her with his wings, etc. I am always there (I lock him in his cage when I am not home), and I immediately intervene and shoo him away from the dog. It used to be occasional (maybe once a day). However, it's getting to be a continuous problem.
It's not fair to my dog to be harassed (she usually just ignores the bird or tries to get away from him peacefully) and I'm getting sick of having to constantly referee the bird (who doesn't seem to learn to leave her alone).
1. Is it possible to curb this behavior, or is it just part of having a male ringneck dove?
2. Does it sound like he would be better off in a home with other doves to interact with? I am attached to him, but I have considered it may be better for him to give him to a good multi-dove home if nothing can be done about this behavior.