Eurasian Collared Dove Bird Facts (Streptopelia decaocto)

The Eurasian Collared Dove is a medium-sized dove with a pale grey-buff plumage and a distinctive black half-collar on the nape. Its wings are grey with darker primaries, and the tail has a white tip visible in flight.

Both sexes look similar, with a slight pinkish tinge to the head and breast.

Juveniles lack the neck collar and have a duller, sandier overall appearance with scaly-looking feathers. They will not display a dark collar until attaining the age of at least twelve weeks.

The Eurasian Collared Dove can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove can be found in Urban habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Originally native to Asia, the Eurasian Collared Dove has successfully colonised much of Europe and parts of North America. It thrives in human-modified landscapes, including suburban areas, farmlands, and urban parks with scattered trees.

In the UK, it is now widespread and common. In the US, it has rapidly expanded its range since its introduction in the 1980s, now found across most of the country, particularly in the southern and western states.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eurasian Collared Dove. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Anguilla Malta Tunisia Yemen

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Eurasian Collared Dove demonstrates considerable agility, capable of swift flight at speeds up to 60 km/h and adept at navigating urban environments. Their ability to perform steep ascents and gliding descents during courtship displays further showcases their aerial prowess.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a medium-sized dove, the Eurasian Collared Dove possesses moderate strength. Whilst not particularly muscular, they are capable of sustained flight and can defend their territories, but are not known for exceptional feats of strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable, these doves have successfully colonised diverse habitats across Europe and North America. Their ability to thrive in human-modified landscapes, from urban areas to farmlands, and their year-round breeding capability in suitable climates, demonstrate remarkable adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Eurasian Collared Doves are generally peaceful birds. They may defend their territories and nesting sites, but are not known for aggressive behaviour towards humans or other species. Their boldness around humans is more a sign of habituation than aggression.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

These doves exhibit good endurance, evidenced by their ability to undertake partial migrations and their successful range expansion across continents. Their capacity to breed up to six times a year in optimal conditions also suggests a robust constitution and good stamina.

Eurasian Collared Doves primarily feed on seeds, grains, and small fruits. They forage on the ground in fields, gardens, and urban areas, often visiting bird feeders.

To supplement their diet, these doves will also eat insects and small invertebrates, particularly during the breeding season.

Eurasian Collared Doves are often seen perched on wires, rooftops, or trees in urban and suburban areas. They have a characteristic bobbing walk when on the ground.

These doves are typically found in pairs or small groups and can be quite bold around humans, often visiting bird feeders.

The Eurasian Collared Dove's call is a distinctive, rhythmic 'coo-COO-coo', emphasising the middle syllable. This three-note cooing is often repeated and can be heard throughout the year. During courtship, males produce a harsh, grating 'kwaah' sound.

Eurasian Collared Doves form monogamous pairs and can breed year-round in warmer climates, with peak activity in spring and summer. Males perform a distinctive flight display, flying up steeply before gliding down with wings and tail spread.

Nests are flimsy platforms of twigs, typically placed in trees, building ledges, or thick shrubs. Females usually lay two white eggs per clutch.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14-16 days. Chicks fledge after 15-19 days but are fed by parents for up to another week after leaving the nest.

The Eurasian Collared Dove typically lives for 3 to 5 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Eurasian Collared Dove is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and increasing population.

Its rapid expansion across Europe and North America has been one of the most significant avian range expansions in recent history. However, monitoring is ongoing to assess its impact on native species.

Look for them in open areas with scattered trees, parks, and gardens
Listen for their distinctive three-note cooing call
Observe their behaviour at bird feeders, where they often visit
In the UK and the US, check suburban areas where they have become common

Main predators include birds of prey such as hawks and falcons, as well as domestic and feral cats in urban areas.

The Eurasian Collared Dove can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
It spread across Europe in the 20th century, reaching the UK in 1955.
These doves can breed up to six times a year in optimal conditions.

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