Eurasian Collared Dove | ||||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
Streptopelia decaocto '' |
It breeds wherever there are trees for nesting, laying two white eggs in a stick nest. It is not wary and is often found around human habitation.
This is a small dove, buff grey 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 eye and bill are black.
This is a gregarious species, and sizeable winter flocks will form where there are food supplies such as grain. The song is a monotonous coo.
The Eurasian Collared Dove is one of two species (the other being the African Collared Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea) that have been argued to be the wild ancestor of the domestic Ring Dove, S. risoria. It is able to interbreed with the Ring Dove.