Mating Collared doves

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.

Overview

Latin 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.

When to see them

Any time of year.

What they eat

Seeds and grain.

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	298,000 territories	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Dolfor hills to the front of our house  all clear of snow