Dove Beak Grinding: Myths, Concerns, and Reality

Doves are one of the most popular companion birds in the United States. They are loved for their intelligence, playfulness, and sweet demeanor. But Dove beak grinding is a behavior that worries many new bird owners.

Should you be concerned?

Let’s delve into Dove beak grinding, myths, concerns, and reality!

Dove Beak Grinding: What Is It?

You may have heard a sort of high-pitched scraping noise coming from your Dove’s cage and been taken aback. However, beak grinding is a very common and normal Dove behavior.

The noise is the sound of your Dove’s beak grinding against itself, and it occurs most often when a Dove eats or preens its feathers.

Beak grinding may also occur during times of stress such as illness or changes in home life (a new pet, a new member of the household, etc.). Sometimes you might notice your bird does this like clockwork just before bedtime!

This behavior is also seen in baby Dove chicks learning to eat on their own. Their tiny beaks scrape together as they are learning to pick up food.

In general, Dove beak grinding is just one of many quirky behaviors and, is a sign of comfort and contentment. It’s a Dove saying, “I feel safe and relaxed here with you!”

Dove Beak Grinding: Myths & Concerns

Myth #1: Doves grind their beaks to file them down or wear the enamel off of them. That grinding sound is actually coming from your Dove’s maxilla and mandible bones, not the beak itself.

In other words, Dove beak grinding is NOT a sign of damage to their beaks! It should also go without saying that Doves do not file down or wear off their enamel while they are sleeping!

Myth #2: beak grinding is painful. Your Dove’s beak is made of keratin, just like your fingernails and hair.

There are no nerve endings at the tip of their beaks, so there is no pain or discomfort during this behavior.

Myth #3: Doves grind their beaks when they are stressed out and want to leave your care. Doves can indeed experience stress, but Dove beak grinding is not generally a sign of that.

Beak grinding is not the bird equivalent of teeth grinding, so it is not a sign that your bird is suffering from stress or anxiety.

Doves are creatures of habit, and Dove beak grinding can become a sort of “ritual” that your bird engages in before bedtime or to relax himself after eating his favorite meal.

Roosting Behavior

In the moments prior to roosting, Doves may sit high up on their perch and beak grind in a rhythmic way.

This is normal Dove behavior and perfectly harmless, but it can be alarming if you don’t know what to expect! This pre-roosting action helps Doves realign themselves before settling down for the night.

When Dove Beak Grinding Is A Cause For Concern

If beak grinding is being done excessively and is accompanied by other Dove behavior changes and destructive actions such as chewing cage bars or plucking out. feathers, it may be a cause for concern.

In such cases, it could indicate that your Dove is in pain or discomfort from an injury or illness.

In these instances, if you notice excessive Dove beak grinding accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy and lack of appetite, contact your Dove’s veterinarian as soon as possible.

Your Dove should be checked for an injury such as a fracture or respiratory illness.

Should You Give Your Bird Something To Grind Its Beak On?

You can give your bird a cuttlebone. Cuttlebones are high in calcium and help to keep the beak trimmed back.

Your bird will have fun gnawing on it, but eventually, they’ll get bored of it, too, so periodically replace the old one with a new one.

To Conclude:

Dove beak grinding is a very common Dove behavior. Whether you’ve noticed your Doves doing this before bedtime or after eating their favorite meal, it can seem like an alarming sight if you don’t know what to expect!

But Dove beak grinding isn’t usually a cause for concern except when paired with other symptoms such as chewing cage bars and plucking feathers.

Contact your veterinarian immediately in the event of excessive Dove beak grinding accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy and lack of appetite.