Eurasian Collared Dove

Informazioni

The Eurasian Collared Dove is a medium-sized dove, notably smaller and more slender than a domestic pigeon but larger than a Turtle Dove. It is characterized by its pale grey-buff plumage, black half-collar on the nape, and distinctive three-note cooing call. Originally native to Asia, it has undergone a remarkable and rapid expansion across Europe and North America in the last century, becoming a common sight in urban and suburban environments.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

30-33 cm

Apertura alare

47-55 cm

Peso

125-240 g

Longevità

Up to 17 years in the wild, typically 3-5 years.

Dieta

Granivore (primarily seeds, grains, and cereals), occasionally consumes fruits, berries, and invertebrates.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Overall pale grey-buff to pinkish-grey plumage. The head is slightly paler, almost whitish on the forehead and chin. The back and upperwings are a uniform grey-brown, while the underparts are a lighter grey-pink. The primary flight feathers are darker, almost blackish. The most distinctive feature is the narrow black half-collar bordered with white on the nape (back of the neck). The undertail coverts are white, and the tail is long with a broad white tip on the outer tail feathers, contrasting with a dark grey base.

Forma del becco

Slender, short, and dark grey to blackish beak.

Colore degli occhi

Dark red iris, often appearing black, surrounded by a narrow white orbital ring.

Colore delle zampe

Reddish-purple to dark red.

Caratteristiche distintive

Black half-collar on the nape, pale overall plumage, long tail with white outer tips, and a characteristic three-note cooing call.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles resemble adults but lack the distinct black half-collar, which develops gradually. Their plumage may appear slightly duller and browner, and their legs and eyes may be less intensely colored.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes. The plumage remains consistent throughout the year.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Males and females are virtually identical in plumage and size, making them difficult to distinguish visually in the field.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Medium-sized dove, larger than a Turtle Dove but smaller than a Feral Pigeon. Slender body with a relatively long tail.

2. 2

   Plumage Color

   Overall pale grey-buff to pinkish-grey. Look for the uniform, rather plain body color.

3. 3

   Black Half-Collar

   The most distinctive field mark: a narrow black band bordered with white on the back of the neck (nape). This is absent in juveniles.

4. 4

   Tail Pattern

   Long tail with a dark grey base and broad white tips on the outer tail feathers, visible in flight and when perched.

5. 5

   Call

   Listen for the characteristic three-note 'hoo-hoo-hooo' or 'coo-COO-coo' call, with the middle note emphasized.

6. 6

   Behavior/Habitat

   Often seen in urban/suburban areas, parks, gardens, and agricultural lands, frequently feeding on the ground or perching on wires and rooftops.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Temperate forests, grasslands, urban and suburban areas, agricultural lands.

Areale geografico

Native to Asia (Indian subcontinent, China, Middle East), it has expanded across Europe, North Africa, and North America. It is now widespread across most of Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, and has established populations in the Americas.

Fascia altitudinale

Primarily lowlands, but can be found up to 2,000 meters in some parts of its range, especially in agricultural areas.

Ambienti preferiti

Highly adaptable, it thrives in human-modified landscapes such as towns, villages, parks, gardens, farmlands, and suburban areas. It prefers open woodlands, scattered trees, and areas with readily available food sources like bird feeders or spilled grain.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal, most active during daylight hours, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.

Abitudini alimentari

Primarily ground feeders, foraging for seeds, grains, and cereals in open areas. They often feed in flocks, especially outside the breeding season. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders and agricultural fields. They also consume some berries, fruits, and occasionally small invertebrates.

Comportamento sociale

Often seen in pairs or small groups, especially during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they can form larger flocks, particularly around abundant food sources. They are generally not aggressive towards other species but can be territorial during nesting.

Tipo di volo

Direct and strong flight with rapid wingbeats. When landing, they often glide with wings held in a shallow 'V' shape. They can be quite agile in flight, especially when evading predators.

Migrazione

Mostly resident throughout its range, though some northern populations may undertake short-distance dispersive movements or partial migrations in harsh winters. The species is known for its rapid and extensive range expansion, which is a form of dispersal rather than true migration.

Territorialità

Males establish and defend a small territory around the nest site during the breeding season, primarily through cooing displays and occasional chases.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

Highly protracted, often from March to October in temperate regions, and can breed almost year-round in warmer climates or where food is abundant. They can raise multiple broods (2-6) per year.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests are typically flimsy platforms of twigs, often built in trees, shrubs, or on man-made structures like eaves, window ledges, or utility poles. Both parents participate in nest construction.

Dimensione della covata

2 eggs.

Descrizione dell'uovo

Typically 2 white, elliptical eggs, smooth and non-glossy.

Periodo di incubazione

14-18 days, incubated by both parents.

Periodo di involo

15-19 days after hatching. Young leave the nest but are still fed by parents for a short period.

Cure parentali

Both male and female share incubation duties and feed the nestlings with 'crop milk' (pigeon milk) initially, transitioning to regurgitated seeds as they grow.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Listen for the Call. Their distinctive three-note cooing call is often heard before the bird is seen. It's a reliable way to locate them.
2. Check Elevated Perches. They often perch on rooftops, utility wires, television aerials, and prominent tree branches.
3. Observe Feeding Areas. Look for them foraging on the ground in open areas, especially under bird feeders or near agricultural fields.
4. Look for Pairs. During the breeding season, they are often seen in pairs. Outside of breeding, they may form small flocks.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Global Population Trend:

Increasing

Introduced Species:

Yes (in Europe and North America)

Dietary Preference:

Seeds and Grains

Nesting Material:

Twigs (often flimsy nests)

Number of Broods:

Multiple (2-6) per year

Curiosità

• The Eurasian Collared Dove is one of the most successful avian colonizers in recent history, having spread across Europe from its original Asian range in less than a century, and then colonizing North America from a small introduction in the Bahamas.
• Its rapid expansion is attributed to its adaptability to human environments, its ability to breed multiple times a year, and its generalist diet.
• The species' scientific name 'decaocto' means 'eighteen' in Latin, referring to a Greek myth where a servant girl transformed into a dove that cooed 'decaocto' (18) to lament her low wages of 18 coins.
• Despite its commonality, it was virtually unknown in Western Europe before the 20th century.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Columbiformes

Famiglia

Columbidae

Genere

Streptopelia

Specie

Streptopelia decaocto

Esplora Eurasian Collared Dove