All About The Collared Dove

People have always been fascinated by birds for many different reasons. One of the main reasons is their ability to fly through the air gracefully. But, most birds are curious creatures by their very nature and will often swoop down into parks and gardens when something captures their attention. This has led to an unusual relationship with humans due to a mutual curiosity. Humans love to watch birds, and birds are curious about humans too. 

One bird that loves to visit UK gardens is the collared dove, also known as the Eurasian Collared-Dove. This shy looking bird is a frequent visitor throughout the UK, and if you’re lucky enough to have them visit your area, you will quickly notice that they are quite captivating to watch. The scientific name of this charming bird is Streptopelia Decacoto from the Greek streptos – which means collar, and peleia – which means dove. Hence the name – collared dove. An interesting piece of mythology is related to the second part of the name decacoto, which roughly translates to eighteen pieces. The story is that Greek gods created the collared dove to shame a mistress after a maid complained of her low wages. 

How To Identify A Collared Dove?

The first thing you’ll notice about the collared dove[i] is the distinctive collar that looks like a half-circle band on the backs of their necks. Hence the name, the collared dove. They have pale grey feathers with darker grey wingtips and striking reddish eyes, and red-tinged feet. They are similar in appearance to a wood pigeon but considerably lighter in colour.

Collared Dove Statistics

• Length: 31-33cm
• Wingspan: 51cm
• Weight: 200g
• Average lifespan: 3 years

Where Can Collared Doves Be Found?

Collared doves can be found all over the UK, but it is not a native bird. Many ornithologists agree that the collared dove was first bred in the UK in 1955 in Norfolk. Before that, they were primarily found in Turkey and the Balkans. Collared doves are exceptionally skilled at migrating and have managed to expand and colonize most of Europe and Scandinavia. They have also migrated as far east as China and south to Morocco and the Canary Islands. 

In the UK, collared doves can be found in villages and towns, especially those close to woodland areas. However, they may also be a frequent sight in urban areas as long as there are trees nearby. As long as they can find food, they will nest and breed in that area. 

Nesting & Breeding[ii]

Collared doves are monogamous birds, and once they find their mate, they will mate for life. Their breeding season begins in March, and they make very simple nests from twigs. While you will usually find their nests in trees, they tend to nest wherever it is convenient for them. It is not unusual to find collared dove nests in shrubs, gutters and the tops of buildings. People have even found collared dove nests on satellite dishes and anything else protruding from a building. 

For all their innocent appearance, collared doves are very territorial birds and can be pretty aggressive. They will drive smaller birds away from their feeding areas, and they will do so relentlessly. 

It is estimated that there are 990,000 breeding pairs of collared doves in the UK, and as long as the weather is mild, they can breed all year round. In fact, collared doves may start a new nest for breeding before the previous clutch has left the nest. They generally have between 2 to 5 clutches with 2 eggs per clutch. Males and females share nesting duties, with females incubating the nest by day and males taking over the duties by night. While they can breed quite successfully, their numbers have declined since 2005. Bird experts believe the decline in collared dove numbers could be due to the increase of woodpigeon populations, with these two breeds competing for food and territory. Still, their dwindling numbers could also be the result of disease. 

Collared Bird FAQs

Are collared doves protected?

There are definite laws protecting a wide range of birds in the UK. While it is legal to shoot feral pigeons and woodpigeons all over the UK, it is illegal to shoot doves, and this includes collared doves. This is a cause of frustration for many farmers because collared doves have voracious appetites and enjoy a variety of seeds and grains. They will be alerted when farmers are planting their crops and swoop down whenever possible to feed on whatever seeds and grains they have planted. 

There is another issue that farmers face when dealing with a large collared dove population. Collared doves are prone to diseases such as Trichomonas gallinae and Pigeon Paramyxovirus. Unfortunately, these diseases can also affect livestock, particularly chickens, geese and other fowl. If collared dove populations in a farming area are a problem, farmers can throw nets over crops and trees. However, if you don’t want them hanging around your house and leaving a mess everywhere, the humane solution is to place spikes where they tend to perch. 

Conservation status [iii]

Common. Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021).

How long do collared doves live?

The average lifespan of the collared dove is around three years, and they reach sexual maturity at about one year of age. However, some collared doves have managed to survive for a remarkable 17 years. That’s pretty impressive for any bird.

What do collared doves eat?

Collared doves aren’t very picky eaters and will feast on almost anything they can find. They will eat a variety of seeds and grains but also like to eat the new shoots that sprout from newly planted seeds and grains. When they can find them, collared doves will also eat berries as well as small insects and worms. 

For certain, seeds and grains are their favourite foods and may not always be available for them all year round. In addition, these birds also have to compete with other birds for food, and in some agricultural regions, farmers will have to put up deterrents to protect their crops, which may further limit their food sources.

You can help the collared doves that frequent your area by setting up a food source for them. For example, you can scatter seed mixes along the edge of your property for them or hang feeders from trees. One thing collared birds will love is a feeding table or a bird feeder with sunflower hearts. These are perfect for collared doves and other smaller birds, with the benefit being that these seeds have had the husks removed, so the birds will eat the entire seed and not leave a pile of husks lying around.

What’s the difference between a dove and a collared dove?

Doves and pigeons all belong to the Columbidae family of birds, and while they are quite similar, doves tend to be smaller in size. There are over 300 species of dove, so it’s not easy to compare any particular dove to a collared dove. However, when people talk about doves, the usual image that comes to mind is a white dove which is the universal symbol of peace and hope. Interestingly, a pure white dove is somewhat of an anomaly and can be found among all dove species. A pure white dove is scientifically referred to as an albino Columbidae and is the result of a genetic disorder where pigmentation is congenitally absent. 

In the UK, there are five different types of doves[iv]:

1. UK Woodpigeon
2. Stock Dove
3. Collared Dove
4. Turtle Dove
5. Rock Dove

The woodpigeon, stock dove and collared dove are all quite common in the UK and can be found almost anywhere in woodlands, farming areas and the suburbs. The turtle dove and the rock dove are considered rare in the UK so it’s a real treat for birdwatchers to see them. The main differences between these birds are the size and feather colours. We’ll take a quick overview of the doves found in the UK:

• Collared Dove – A small dove often found in gardens, woodland areas, farms and parks. Their feathers are pale and greyish with darker grey wingtips. They have a distinctive black band, or collar, around the backs of their necks. 
• Woodpigeon – This is the largest of the UK doves. It is pretty common in gardens and parks and farms and woods. They have a distinctive mauve breast and white patches on their wings and back of the neck. 
• Stock Dove – These birds are mainly found in the woods or around farms. They tend to have grey feathers and piercing black eyes.
• Rock Dove – You know those pigeons that crowd city streets? No, these aren’t rock doves, but those city dwellers are believed to be the descendants of rock doves. Pure rock doves are a rarity in the UK and have beautifully coloured feathers and a cherry redbreast. These days, you can only find them in the British Isles and the north and west coasts of Ireland and Scotland. 
• Turtle Dove – These are the smallest of the UK doves and are migratory birds that arrive in the UK late in the spring. They feature stunning tortoiseshell colouring on the back and wings.

Do Your Bit For The Collared Dove

Collared doves are not under threat of extinction just yet, but their numbers are dwindling, and it would be a tragedy if this bird disappeared from the planet. You can do your bit to help this bird by creating an environment where these birds can thrive. Put bells on cats so the felines can’t launch a surprise attack and if collared doves are making a bit of a nuisance in your area, deter them with nets and spikes rather than trying to eliminate them. You can also divert their attention by putting out seeds and grains for them away from areas you’d rather they avoided. 

We all need to learn to co-exist with our feathered friends, so do your bit and help them out with a handful of seeds. Then, instead of watching a documentary on the television, you can watch these charming birds in real life and protect them for future generations to watch. 

Sources

  [i] https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/pigeons-and-doves/collared-dove 

[ii] https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/facts-about-collared-dove/ 

[iii] https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/birds-conservation-concern 

[iv] https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/birds/guide-to-pigeons-and-doves-of-the-uk/

Gemma Sharp

Gemma Sharp is the resident writer for Garden Bird, a supplier of premium bird food and accessories. She has had a genuine love for our feathered friends from a young age, and has dedicated a lot of her time to learning all there is to know about them. If you’re struggling to pick the right bird feed for your garden, need help identifying a type of wild bird, or can’t decide where to put a nesting box, Gemma is the person to go to! She is passionate about sharing her years of learnt knowledge with the public. In her free time, she can be found feeding birds at home with her three young boys.