Tricky Bird IDs: Eurasian
Collared-Dove and
African Collared-Dove
Eurasian
Collared-Doves and African Collared-Doves (formerly called Ringed Turtle-Doves) are both non-native species that are visiting
feeders across North America with increasing frequency. Eurasian Collared-Doves are
rapidly expanding their range since establishing a population in Florida several decades
ago. African Collared-Doves are a popular caged bird that can be found in the wild after
escaping or being released from captivity. Telling the two apart can be very difficult. To
further complicate matters, hybrids do occur.
|
Eurasian
Collared-Dove |
African
Collared-Dove |
|
|
Photo by David
Cleary, Maxwell, NM |
Photo by Judith
Anderson, Long Beach, CA |
|
|
| Description |
| |
Eurasian
Collared-Dove |
African
Collared-Dove |
| Primaries (longest
wing feathers) |
dark grayish-brown |
light pale gray |
| Size |
13", larger
and heavier than Mourning Dove, as shown in photo below |
11", smaller
than Eurasian Collared-Dove, slightly smaller but heavier than Mourning Dove |
| Undertail coverts
(feathers under tail) |
gray with dark
edges |
white with white
edges |
|
|
Mourning Dove (left) with Eurasian Collared-Dove (right). Photo by Marie Weinstein, Alabaster, AL.
|
Song
Their respective songs are quite different and can be helpful in distinguishing the two species. John Schmitt described their songs in the Autumn 1998 issue of Birdscope: "The Eurasian Collared-Dove's song is a coarse, rapidly delivered, three-part cooing, which contrasts with the hollow, rolling, two-part cooing of the African Collared-Dove." The three parts of the Eurasian Collared-Dove song are three separate instances of the bird saying "coo" with the middle "coo" being much longer than the first and last. |
| For help identifying Eurasian Collared-Doves, click on the image at left to open a .pdf file of Schmitt's drawings and descriptions. |
 |
If you have one of these exotic doves in your yard and are unsure of the identification, consult with other birders in your area. If you live within the current range for Eurasian Collared-Doves and you are fairly certain of the identification, add the bird to your online checklist or enter it as a write-in species on your paper data form. Otherwise, report the bird using a Rare Bird Form if you are submitting data online or send a note with paper forms. Visit the FeederWatch Map Room under Exploring Data to see where other FeederWatchers are reporting these doves.
Project FeederWatch has been tracking the spread of Eurasian Collared-Doves across North America. See articles in the Winter 2000 and Autumn 1998 issues of Birdscope to learn more. |
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