Compared to mourning doves, Eurasian collared-doves are larger and much paler. Collared-doves get their name from the prominent black stripe across the back of the neck, highlighted by thin white stripes above and below the “collar.”
Eurasian collared-doves’ three-note coo-COO-coo calls are lower in pitch than a mourning dove, and are usually repeated several times in succession.
Listen to a Eurasian Collared-Dove:
There are many dove breeders that have released the domestic ring neck dove for one reason or another all over the North America . They are returning to their wild type colors and habits which are genetic, same as the feral rock pigeon , so in fact these are FERAL doves revolving back to their ancestors. THE COLLAR DOVES breeding habits are very much the same as the feral pigeon – better known as the flying rat. There were about 200 released in one small town in western mo. years ago. They were used in Ames Iowa University and other breeding programs long before 1965. These birds came from California and Akron Ohio and other places. The Collar Dove breeds are all connected same as the rock pigeon. To prove this take two white Collar Doves of different strains, line breed and they will soon produce the wild colors. Also you can take all the different colors of the domestic ring-neck and let them breed freely among themselves and they will also produce the wild color and habits of their ancestors. Finally in the future they will become a nuisance just like the flying rats. I am a breeder and I love my doves.
Which is larger–the cock or the hen?
Males are heavier than females, and males larger in wing and length.
Dawn Hewitt, Bird Watcher’s Digest
Two (turtle doves?) visit my feeder daily; often twice daily. I’ve seen them listed here as Eurasian Collared Doves, so not quite certain about the breed. I’d like to know why there only two.
Hi Penny, I don’t know where you live, but Eurasian collared doves are expanding their range. It was only in the past decade or so that they started showing up in southern Indiana, where I lived at the time. At first, there were only a few, and only spotted in agricultural areas, near grain silos. But in some places, they have become suburban, and even visit feeders. I suspect you live in an area where Eurasian collared doves are just starting to invade, and that the birds at your feeder are pioneers. I suspect you will see more of them in the next few years. Dawn Hewitt, Bird Watcher’s Digest