What is this bird?

Question

It's a species of pigeon, very light grey, quite small, with red rings around its eyes. I like the way it coos.

yes maybe it is a dove

okay okay i know its annoying when ppl don't express their location. i am VERY sorry...
i am in England.
However the pigeon is in an aviary, so it won't help you one bit to know that!
if it was a native bird i would know, believe me!

Answer 1

Here where I live (Argentina) we have a few species that look like that, small, with red-orange periocular area. They're known as "palomitas" or ground-doves and belong to genus Metriopelia. However, they're rather brownish-grey in general color.
I could not find good photographs of Metriopelia online, and my description is based on my bird guide. Anyway, here's another site with useful info, maybe you will recognize the species:
http://www.dovepage.com/

Answer 2

You know these questions circulate through out the world on the Internet. That is why it is important when asking questions concerning flora and fauna that you include a location. Does not have to be specific. Something like New England, USA or Mississippi River or London, UK.

Perhaps an Inca dove.

Inca Dove Columbina inca
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?allSpecies=y&searchText=dove&curGroupID=1&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=6

Or perhaps the ground dove. It is the smallest dove in America.

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?source=&parkid=&searchText=dove&allSpecies=y&shapeID=0&lshapeID=0&curAbbr=&lastView=default&lastGroup=1&lastRegion=&lastFilter=4&lastShapeName=&trackType=&curRegionID=&size=&habitat=&fruit=&color=&sortBy=family&curFamilyID=®ionSelect=All+regions®ionZIP=&curGroupID=1&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=7

Answer 3

Your description matches that of a Diamond dove, a popular aviary species. We used to keep them with finches.This link has a photo

http://www.diamonddove.info/

Answer 4

If the bird is in an aviary, could you not just ask the owner/attendant at the aviary what it is, and what country it is native to?

Answer 5

Here in the New York City area, we call them flying rats.

Answer 6

Try Google or give us a picture. There is always a library or even - HEY - a local college!

Answer 7

It sounds like a pigcooredringeon

Answer 8

a dove maybe? maybe a collared dove

Answer 9

it's a pigeon

Answer 10

Oi - that's my bird you're looking at.