Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Species
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on May 22nd 2013.
Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on May 22nd 2013.
(1/125th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 29 - 33 cm; WS: 48 - 53 cm

The Collared Dove is a small buff-grey bird, with a darker back and a blue-grey wing patch. The tail feathers are tipped white. It has a black half-collar on its nape from which it gets its name. The short legs are red and the bill is black. The iris is reddish brown, but from a distance the eyes appear to be black, as the pupil is relatively large and only a narrow rim of reddish-brown eye colour can be seen around the black pupil. The sexes are similar.

Collared Doves can be found almost anywhere in the British Isles.

They breed where there are dense trees for nesting. These can be around farmyards and in parks and gardens.

Collared Doves are usually seen singly or in pairs, although flocks may form where food is plentiful. They feed on the ground but readily perch on roofs and wires.

After rapidly spreading across Europe in the early half of the 20th century, the Collared Dove is now one of the commonest British birds, with around 300000 breeding pairs.

Sightings

04-Mar-2024 : Aston, Oxon (2)
24-Feb-2024 : Aston, Oxon (1)
01-Jan-2024 : Aston, Oxon (1)

17-Dec-2023 : Aston, Oxon (2)
28-Apr-2023 : Aston, Oxon (3)
15-Apr-2023 : Aston, Oxon
26-Mar-2023 : Aston, Oxon
27-Feb-2023 : Aston, Oxon
15-Jan-2023 : Aston, Oxon
01-Jan-2023 : Aston, Oxon (2)

26-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (4)
08-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
06-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
01-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
09-Jun-2022 : Aston, Oxon
15-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon
02-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon
01-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
27-Apr-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
23-Apr-2022 : Aston, Oxon
25-Mar-2022 : Aston, Oxon
16-Mar-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
15-Mar-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
09-Feb-2022 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)
01-Jan-2022 : Abingdon, Oxon (2)

01-Aug-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)
22-May-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)
17-Apr-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (5)
27-Mar-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (2)
01-Jan-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (2)

04-Apr-2020 : Abingdon, Oxon (3)
02-Feb-2020 : Branthill Farm, Norfolk (2)
01-Jan-2020 : Abingdon, Oxon (2)

21-May-2019 : Broadford, Skye (1)
15-Apr-2019 : Abingdon, Oxon (2)
01-Jan-2019 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)

16-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain
13-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain
12-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain
22-Jul-2018 : Vercors Natural Park, France
15-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
14-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
13-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
12-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
11-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
10-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
09-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
10-Jan-2018 : Northmoor, Oxon
01-Jan-2018 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)

26-Dec-2017 : Eynsham, Oxon (2)