Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
The Collared Dove is a medium-sized bird commonly seen in Britain, particularly in urban and suburban areas, with a notable presence throughout the year. It is a relatively recent colonizer of the UK, first breeding in the 1950s, and has since become a widespread and familiar species.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Collared Dove in the field.
The Collared Dove can be identified by its buffy-brown upperparts, pinkish-brown underparts, and a distinctive black half-collar on the neck, edged with white. Its slender body and small head are also distinctive features, along with its dark eyes and reddish-brown legs.
The Collared Dove is slightly larger than a Blackbird, measuring around 32-33 cm in length, and is smaller than a Woodpigeon.
The male Collared Dove has a uniform grey-brown upperparts and wings, with a pinkish-brown breast and belly, and a distinctive black half-collar on the neck, edged with white, with no notable seasonal variation.
The female Collared Dove is similar to the male, with no notable differences in plumage, making the sexes difficult to distinguish in the field.
The Collared Dove's call is a low, mournful "coo-coo-coo" sound, often described as a gentle, soothing melody, and is typically heard during the breeding season.
The Collared Dove is a ground-feeding bird, often seen foraging for seeds, grains, and insects in urban parks, gardens, and farmland, and has a distinctive, slow-flapping flight style when taking to the air.
The Collared Dove can be confused with the Turtle Dove, but can be distinguished by its uniform upperparts and lack of a barred side panel on the neck, as well as its larger size and more subdued colouration.
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