Few Americans are aware that some of the most beautiful and exotic species of doves are native to our own United States of America.Bird enthusiasts are included in this category as well.
The Key-West Quail dove belongs to a non-scientific classification of "quail doves". Quail doves are not nor are they related to quail. The "quail" is simply describing the dove's shape. Quail doves are shaped like a quail with rounded wings and tail and are plumper than other doves.
This beautiful dove barely makes it an American native specie. It migrates from the islands of Cuba, Bahamas, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Florida Keys, thus its name. In the last decade it has not been seen on the U.S. mainland.

Description:

This dove appears to be a little larger than a common ringneck or Barbary dove.But it is not. The male of this specie has upperparts that are burnt sienna with deep rich irdescence bronzish-green and amethyst coloration. The nape, crown and the upper back of the neck are reddish-purple. The mantle, back, rump and wing coverts are also this reddish-purple or purplish-red color. The inner secondaries, primary tips are burnt umber. The throat is a pale nearly white in color. A unique and conspicuous broad stripe extends from the lower mandible under and beyond the eye. This stripe is white. The burnt umber area separates the lower edge of this white facial stripe from the pale nearly white throat. The sides of the neck, and breast are a lavender pink or pinish-gray with shading to near white on the belly. The underparts of the tail are grayish-buff with tips that are nearly white. The bill is raw umber and reddish brown at the base. The eyes are orange, yellow or red. The orbital skin is a pale red. In mature birds the feet and legs are light red, in young birds they are pink.
The female of this specie is slightly duller than her counterpart. She has more of an olive-brown cast. Both sexes look much alike to the untrained eye.
Immature birds have little if any iridescence. They also are browner than the adults are.

Feeding and Habitat in the Wild:
The Key-West Quail dove is migratory. In the wild it feeds on the ground, usually beneath the cover of bushes or trees. This dove eats a variety of seeds, fallen berries, fruit and insects.
The Key-West Quail dove is endangered specie. It inhabits countries (other than the islands off of the U.S. mainland) that are extremely poor.Small wild populations currently exist in isolated areas of Puerto Rico.This species has because of distructure of forested areas and heavy poaching nearly disappeared from most of its range. It is extinct in Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.The Key-West Quail dove is only seen now in private collections or zoos. It has not been reported in the Florida Keys in a number of years.

The Key-West Quail Dove in Captivity:
Fortunately specimens do exist in many private collections and in large zoos throughout the country. No effort has been made to reintroduce this specie back into its home range. Conditions are such that it would be futile at this point in time.
As an aviary bird the Key-West Quail dove is a wonderful addition. They are docile,gentle and trusting. Few wild doves are so easy to maintain. Once they adjust to the keeper rarely are they skittish or flighty.
As with many wild doves, the Key-West is unfortunately not the exception, they are sporactic breeders. Captive Key-West Quail doves in the U.S. are unfortunately are inbred.Fertility is a main concern. This is a specie that is not for the novice dove enthusast. They are extremely difficult to find and expensive. Due to inbreeding they are also very poor breeders. A federal permit is required. The Key-West Quail dove is a native specie and it is illegal to keep them without a permit.
I have seen Key-West Quail doves for sale at bird marts. The seller had no idea that it is illegal to sell or purchase native species without proper permits. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.Heavy fines can result from purchasing or selling any native specie.

Feeding:

Nutrition is extremely important for all captive doves. It would be impossible to replicate the Key-West Quail dove's diet in the wild. However we can come close. This dove's main food source is seeds. I provide a variety of seeds. Finch mix, wild bird, niger, safflower, sunflower, and millet seed. I also feed soft foods such as steamed rice, grated carrots, broccoli, and apples. They also like raw shelled peanuts, raw shelled sunflower seeds and mealworms.
The best food in the world is not going to be conducive to good health if the feeding dishes are dirty and there is a lack of fresh clean water.Good sanitation is imperative to say the least.
A clean,airy,draft-free aviary is equally important.All doves love sunshine and thrive in a bright sunny environment.If the aviary is located in a shady area perhaps you should consider articial lighting.Lighting such as "GroLights"that mimic the natural broad spectrum of natural sunlight will be a good subsitute.Put lighting on a timer and have them on for at least eight hours per day.Ten or twelve hours is even better in dark aviaries.Never leave light on for 24 hours as this will cause the birds to be unbalanced in their natural breeding cycle.
This specie is hardy and seldom becomes ill. Canker, is a cheese-like substance that can cause problems in all doves and pigeons. Preventive measures are best to control canker. Keep water fresh and clean. If you notice a dove with canker, isolate the bird. Put it under a twenty-five watt light bulb and get it to an avian veterinarian. Many feed stores have canker medications for pigeons. They will work with doves. Follow directions and monitor the other birds. Treat the entire aviary only if your veterinarian recommend you to do so.(Medication can be placed in the drinking water)
Many pigeon fanciers in peticular rountinely treat for canker whether it is evident in their flocks or not.Personally I do not recommend blanket treatments.Disease can easily become immune to the medication.
Over crowding ,stress,poor nurition,lack of sanitation ,and poor ventilation cause problems.Prevention is the key to a happy,healthy aviary environment.

Courtship:
The Key-West Quail dove unlike most of it relatives is a quiet dove. They coo so softly that they are barely audible. The cooing sounds like that of a domestic pigeon but much softer.
In courting the hen the male struts after her raising his wings while they still are closed. Bonded pairs are loyal to each other and are excellent parents. The young are nearly black in color when they leave the nest.They fledge at less than ten days old. It is imperative that they are placed back into the nest at night.Otherwise they will get chilled and die. Caution must be exercised when handling any young wild doves. Grasping a young dove will cause it to become so frighten that it will die of shock. I use a napkin or handkerchief and cover the youngster. Than I put it back into the nest. If you do not know what nest it came out of. Put the little guy on a branch or perch and the parents will locate it and keep it warm. Many young doves are lost because they get chilled, attacked by other adult birds or simply the parents cannot locate them to feed them.

Housing:

The Key-West Quail dove is sensitive to cold weather. They can be acclimated to tolerate cold weather in proper housing. In southeastern and southwestern states an aviary that is in a sunny location, that is draft free and dry will do well. Good ventilation is important in all seasons. During inclement weather a dry aviary is essential. External heat is not needed if the doves have been acclimated to the colder temperature gradully.
In Eastern, Mid-Western, and Northern Plain states this specie would not be able to tolerate temperature below freezing without a heated envirnonment. They are after all tropical and subtropical specie.
I have heard of a dove breeder in New England that keeps his tropical doves in open aviaries the year round. I suppose there are exceptions.It is my opinion taking unneeded chances is foolish.Dove species that are from subtropical and tropical areas are much happier in comfortable,warm environments.Most dove species tolerate and thrive in heat rather than cold frigid conditions.
Our new location in the Inland Empire of Southern California can be frosty some winter nights.We are at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet.Our aviaries are draft-free,dry,well ventilated and unheated.Temperatures below 30 degrees seldom occur more than a few days in a row.Our doves are acclimated and show no ill effects.

In conclusion,this beautiful native American beauty,the Key-West Quail dove needs our help in preserving its existance.This specie's last hope is in the dedicated avian enthusasts that are able to raise it .