The Diamond doves bring their unusual colouration, their pretty form and their lovely cooing to the community. They are quite solitary, avoiding the hustle of the finches, softbills, etc. They are usually found either perching in a corner or on the ground feeding on seed when no-one else is around.

However, once paired up, they quickly organise nests and breed prolifically. They have used cups as the photos testify,  but they will usually make their own nest in the shrubs. These are more like small platforms on which they sit rather than being circular nests with a depth. The courtship of the male is melodious and accompanied by a display of its tail feathers. From summer through autumn we have had a large colony develop and they become ubiquitous. It is during this time that the male becomes more distinctive as the red eye ring becomes pronounced and richer in colour. The chicks seem to tumble out of their cup prematurely - certainly long before they can fly. They then hop around on the ground at first, finding shelter where they can. The parents look after them at this time until they are ready to fledge and fly. They grow unbelievably quickly - their progress being palpable, day by day.

Whilst attractive on the branch they are very ungainly in the air. Add to this their nervousness and they are often responsible for disturbing the community, prematurely taking flight and then crashing into other, settled birds.

They eat small seeds (millet etc) almost exclusively and prefer to feed on the ground in the mornings and late afternoons.