Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family Columbidae Genus: Streptopelia Species: decaocto
Binomial name
Streptopelia decaocto ''

The Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto , often referred to simply as the Collared Dove, is one of the great colonisers of the avian world. Its original range was warmer temperate regions from south east Europe to Japan. However, in the twentieth century it expanded across the rest of Europe, reaching as far west as Great Britain by 1960, and Ireland soon after. It has been introduced into the USA, with its stronghold in Florida; as of 1999 it had been reported from 22 states and was still spreading rapidly. It is not migratory.

It breeds wherever there are trees for nesting, laying two white eggs in a stick nest. It is not wary and is often found around human habitation.

This is a small dove, buff grey with a darker back and a blue-grey wing patch, The tail feathers are tipped white. It has a black half-collar on its nape from which it gets its name. The short legs are red and the eye and bill are black.

This is a gregarious species, and sizeable winter flocks will form where there are food supplies such as grain. The song is a monotonous coo.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is one of two species (the other being the African Collared Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea) that have been argued to be the wild ancestor of the domestic Ring Dove, S. risoria. It is able to interbreed with the Ring Dove.