Pigeons and doves
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Link copied.
Streptopelia decaocto
Link copied.
Voice
Song
Song
How to recognize it
-
Body length 32 cm; slim silhouette, long tail
-
Pale grey-buff overall, darker above than below
-
Adults: black half-collar with white edging on the nape; poorly developed in juveniles
-
Three-syllable coo, stress on the second syllable: "goo-GOO-goo"
About the species
The Eurasian Collared-Dove has pale beige-grey plumage, darker on the back and faintly pink below. A slim black half-collar edged in white curves across the nape, and its long tail has white-tipped outer feathers. In flight, a blue-grey patch shows beneath the wing, while a small ring of pale skin rims the dark eye.
Its coo is a three-note "goo-GOO-goo," with the middle note stressed. A harsh, roughly two-second screech may come just before landing; during courtship, it climbs almost straight up, then circles down in a glide. It is not very wary and feeds close to people, even at garden feeders.
It lives in parks and gardens near homes, nesting in trees. Grain is its main food, alongside seeds, shoots and insects. It does not migrate seasonally, though it continues to spread into new areas.
Where to find
-
At feeding tables near homes, look for Eurasian Collared-Doves pecking at grain and seeds.
-
In quiet residential neighborhoods with several conifers, look high in the canopy for stick nests.
-
On farms, by grain stores or livestock feeding areas, watch for winter flocks gathering around spilled grain.
