General

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Medium-sized dove, pale gray overall with a darker cinnamon-brown wash over back. Nape is ringed with half-black collar that does not extend to throat. Wings are mottled gray with dark primaries. Tail is long, broad, and edged with white (black near base). Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Native of India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar; also widespread in Europe. Introduced to the Bahamas, spread to Florida, and has increased its range across much of the U.S., into extreme southern Canada and northern Mexico, though largely absent from the northeastern states. May be displacing native doves.

Breeding and Nesting

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Two white eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and dry stalks, and built from 6 to 7 feet above the ground in a tree, shrub, or sometimes balcony or eave of a building. Incubation ranges from 14 to 18 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Eats mostly seeds, some greens, soft fruits, and garbage. Forages on the ground but also picks berries from bushes.

Vocalization

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Excitement or alighting call "hwaah" given by both sexes when excited or alarmed and particularly before alighting. Also given by male during display flight. In conflicts and on landing a noisy "krreair."

Similar Species

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Mourning Dove is smaller, lacks collar, and has gray-brown upperparts, and long, pointed tail with white tips.