Silkie Doves are kind, gentle, loving birds and come in varied colors including pied colorings. Silkie dove bodies are the same as other varieties, but there is a drastic difference in their feathering. The inner web of the feather is connected to the feather shaft, but the outer web is not, causing the “Silky” effect.

Breeding: It’s important to mate silkies to regular doves due to the tendency to severely mutated feathering.

Diet: Various grains and seeds, including milo, millet, wheat, black sunflower, canary grass, safflower, cracked corn, Australian Blend Goldenfeast.

* Note: Ringneck Doves should not be confused with Homing Pigeons as they are different birds. The Ringneck Dove should not be released at ceremonial events such as weddings or funerals as they are a species that is man-made in captivity, and will not survive in the wild. It is the Homing Pigeon that is often released at ceremonial events such as weddings and can be rented for events through various service providers.

DNA Testing

If there is no gender option listed for a bird on our website, that particular species is ‘monomorphic’, which means we’re unable to determine gender without purchasing DNA testing. DNA testing is an additional $149 per bird to guarantee preferred gender. DNA testing may add an additional 3-6 plus weeks to estimated delivery time to allow for gender results. See our FAQs for more info.