Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto)

The Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is an interesting bird species that can be found in many parts of the world. It has a unique appearance, diet and behaviour which make it stand out among other birds. In this article, we will take a look at some facts about the collared dove – its identification, feeding habits, habitat, behaviour and breeding practices. So join us as we explore everything there is to know about the fascinating Streptopelia decaocto.

How To Identify a Collared Dove

The collared dove is a medium-sized bird that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It sports a mottled grey-brown plumage with dark blotches on its wings and tail, punctuated by the stark white collar that gives it its name. The distinctive mark of this species is the white band encircling its neck, thus lending it its name.

In terms of size, the collared dove measures approximately 33 cm in length with a wingspan of 48 cm. The body mass may vary from 100g to 160g, contingent on sex and age. This species also has relatively long legs for a pigeon or dove, and their feet are typically yellowish in colour.

Collared Dove Diet & Feeding Habits

The Eurasian collared dove feeds on a variety of items, like seeds, grains, fruits, bugs and other small creatures. In the wild they forage on the ground or in low shrubs for food sources such as grasses and weeds.

In captivity they are usually fed commercial seed mixes designed specifically for doves or pigeons which contain sunflower seeds, millet, oats and other grains. They also enjoy eating mealworms as well as fresh fruit such as apples or pears cut into small pieces. To provide variety to their diet it is recommended to offer them cooked rice mixed with vegetables like peas or corn kernels once a week.

Collared doves need access to clean water at all times so it’s important to make sure their water bowl is always full of fresh water daily. They will also take baths if provided with shallow dishes filled with lukewarm water but this should only be done occasionally since too much bathing can cause skin problems due to over-moisturizing their feathers.

Collared Dove Habitat

The collared dove is a type of avian that can be spotted in many locations around the globe. It prefers to inhabit open woodlands, grasslands, and scrubby areas near human settlements. This species has adapted well to living close to humans and often nests on buildings or other man-made structures.

The collared dove will typically nest in trees or shrubs such as hawthorn and blackthorn bushes in its natural habitat. They also use dense vegetation for cover from predators while they are nesting. The birds prefer habitats with plenty of food sources such as grain fields, meadows, gardens, parks and even urban environments where plenty of seeds are available from weeds and plants growing in cracks between paving stones or walls.

The collared dove is a notably flexible species, adept at thriving in both city and countryside conditions as long as there are ample sources of sustenance present throughout the year. This allows them to survive comfortably without having too much competition from other wildlife species vying for resources within their chosen habitat type(s).

Behaviour Of The Collared Dove

Let’s delve deeper into their behavioural tendencies, which vary depending on the particular habitat they inhabit:

• The collared dove has a soft, cooing call that can be heard throughout the day and night.
• These feathered creatures are typically spotted in pairs or small flocks of up to 10 individuals.
• They often roost together on telephone wires or tree branches during the day and feed together on open ground at dawn and dusk.
• Collared Doves are generally quite shy but may become accustomed to humans if they are regularly fed in gardens or parks. In these situations, they will approach people for food and may even land on their hands.
• When threatened by predators such as cats or hawks, they will fly away quickly while making loud alarm calls to alert other nearby birds of danger.
• During summer, collared doves may form large flocks of hundreds or even thousands of birds. These flocks will feed together in one area before dispersing again later in the day when temperatures exceed their preferred range of 0°C to 30°C.
• During winter, they tend to roost communally at night when food supplies become scarce; these roosts can contain anywhere from a few individuals up to several hundred depending on available sites nearby.

Collared Dove Breeding and Nesting

Collared doves are monogamous birds, meaning they mate for life with one partner. During courtship, males will perform a display flight to attract females. This involves flying high up into the air before swooping down again and repeating this several times while making loud cooing noises.

Once paired off, both male and female collared doves will work together to build their nest which is usually located in trees or on buildings such as window ledges or chimneys. The nests are constructed from twigs and lined with grasses, feathers and mud to form a cup-like shape that provides protection for the eggs inside it.

When ready to lay her eggs, the female dove will lay two white eggs at a time which she incubates alone while her partner stands guard nearby in case of any predators approaching the nest area. After about 14 days of incubation period, chicks hatch out from their shells covered in grey downy feathers and are fed by both parents until they become independent enough to leave the nest after another 14 days or so have passed since hatching out from their eggshells.

Conclusion

The collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a beautiful and fascinating bird. It is seen in a variety of places throughout the UK, from gardens to woodlands, and has adapted its diet accordingly. Its behaviour is interesting too; they are known for their courtship displays and loud cooing calls. Breeding pairs will build nests together in trees or shrubs, usually close to human habitation. All of these features make the Eurasian collared dove an exciting species to observe and study.

Additional Resource

• Stock Dove (Columba Oenas)