Collared doves are a pale, pinky-brown grey colour, with a distinctive black neck collar (as the name suggests). They have deep red eyes and reddish feet. Their monotonous cooing will be a familiar sound to many of you. Although you'll often see them on their own or in pairs, flocks may form where there is a lot of food available.
Key ID Features:
An all over grey-brown appearance with a white edged, black half neck collar (absent in juvenile) and a dark eye.
Long, white tipped tail and dark wing tips are visible in flight.
The triple coo sound lacks the extension of the Wood Pigeon.
Scientific name: Streptopelia decaocto
Family: Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)
Where to see them
Just about anywhere, but often around towns and villages. They're common visitors to gardens. But collared doves only came to the UK in the 1950s, after a rapid spread across Europe from the Middle East.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and grain.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
