Common Wood Pigeon or Eurasian Collared Dove ?

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

There's more to learn about Common Wood Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

How to recognise a Eurasian collared dove?

General appearance

The Eurasian collared dove measures approximately 12 1/2 inches (32 cm) in length. Its predominant color is pale brown, with a distinctive narrow black ring around its neck. It has large white patches on its outer tail feathers. The species is darker than the domesticated Ringed-Turtle-Dove, especially on undertail coverts and wingtips. The size is roughly equivalent to that of a crow. The wings are of a broad and pointed shape, and the tail shape is generally rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There are minimal noticeable differences between the sexes in the Eurasian collared dove. Both males and females exhibit similar features such as the black neck ring, pale brown body color, and white patches on the tail. Any variation is subtle and generally indistinguishable in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Eurasian collared doves are similar in size and color to adults, but they may have slightly duller coloration. Recognizing them may be challenging due to their resemblance to adult birds until they attain their distinctive adult plumage.

Size

11.4 - 11.8 in/4.9 - 6.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Eurasian collared dove typically inhabits suburbs and farmland, especially those with a mixture of trees and open ground. It seems to thrive better in small towns than in larger cities.

Additional range

In its original Asian range, it's found in semi-open dry country with scattered trees and groves. They are versatile and adaptable, able to live in a variety of environments including wood edges and open country.

Range Map

What do Eurasian collared doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The Eurasian collared dove primarily consumes a diet consisting mostly of seeds, with additional intake of some berries and insects. In North America, the specific details of their diet are not yet well known. In Europe, they are known to feed on waste grain from many cultivated crops, alongside seeds from various plants. Their diet may also occasionally include some berries and small insects, with snails being consumed rarely.

Bird feeders

While feeding at bird feeders, Eurasian collared doves are known to consume bread crumbs and other foods provided by humans. This behavior indicates their adaptability to supplementary food sources made available in human-inhabited environments.

What does a Eurasian collared dove sound like?

The Eurasian collared dove typically produces a deep, rhythmic kuk-kooooo-kuk call, which heavily emphasizes the middle syllable. This call generally portrays a flat pattern and is categorized as a hoot type. Additionally, the dove can emit a harsh, mewing nasal call note, compared by many observers to the high-volume call of a Gray Catbird. Its vocalizations, therefore, blend unique elements of distinctness and familiarity.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Eurasian Collared Dove

Common Wood Pigeon

Tap To compare

Eurasian Collared Dove

Common Wood Pigeon

Columba palumbus

Also known as: Wood Pigeon, Cushat

General appearance

The Common Wood-Pigeon is a large, robust bird with a low, growling song. Its coloration is primarily subtle shades of lilac and gray. However, adults also have noticeable white or tan neck patches that are trimmed with green iridescence. A key identifying feature is the broad white bands in the wing that become evident in flight.

Male vs female

The text does not provide specific distinctions between male and female Common Wood-Pigeons. In many bird species, males are often more brightly colored or larger than females. However, precise differences in this species would require further research and observation.

Juvenile

Information on juvenile Common Wood-Pigeons isn't provided in the text. However, in common with many bird species, juveniles may lack the full adult coloration and distinctive markings, such as the white neck patches and wing bands. Further detail on these young birds would need more study.

Size

16.1 - 17.7 in/10.0 - 24.3 oz

There's more to learn about Common Wood Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

General appearance

The Eurasian collared dove measures approximately 12 1/2 inches (32 cm) in length. Its predominant color is pale brown, with a distinctive narrow black ring around its neck. It has large white patches on its outer tail feathers. The species is darker than the domesticated Ringed-Turtle-Dove, especially on undertail coverts and wingtips. The size is roughly equivalent to that of a crow. The wings are of a broad and pointed shape, and the tail shape is generally rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There are minimal noticeable differences between the sexes in the Eurasian collared dove. Both males and females exhibit similar features such as the black neck ring, pale brown body color, and white patches on the tail. Any variation is subtle and generally indistinguishable in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Eurasian collared doves are similar in size and color to adults, but they may have slightly duller coloration. Recognizing them may be challenging due to their resemblance to adult birds until they attain their distinctive adult plumage.

Size

11.4 - 11.8 in/4.9 - 6.3 oz

There's more to learn about Eurasian Collared Dove

How to tell the Common Wood Pigeon from the Eurasian Collared Dove

Visual differences

The Common Wood Pigeon is larger, measuring 16-17 inches (41-45 cm) with a weight of 10-24 oz (284-690 g), while the Eurasian Collared Dove is smaller at about 12.5 inches (32 cm) and 5-6 oz (140-180 g). The Wood Pigeon has lilac-gray plumage with white neck patches and wing bands visible in flight. In contrast, the Collared Dove displays pale brown coloration with a distinctive narrow black neck ring and large white tail patches. Both have sturdy beaks, though specific shape descriptions differ.

Key differences and behavior

The Common Wood Pigeon and Eurasian Collared Dove exhibit key behavioral differences. Wood Pigeons, weighing 10-24 oz, tend to thrive in woodlands, parks, and gardens, whereas the smaller 5-6 oz Collared Doves prefer suburbs and farmland. Wood Pigeons exhibit elaborate courtship behaviors, including head-bobbing and wing-clapping, and build simple stick nests about 6 feet high. In contrast, Collared Doves display more aerial rituals and construct flimsy nests 10-40 feet up. Diet-wise, Wood Pigeons focus on seeds, grains, and plant material, while Collared Doves primarily consume seeds with occasional berries and insects. Both efficiently exploit bird feeder offerings but are noted for differing urban adaptability: Wood Pigeons are more prevalent in cities, Collared Doves in smaller towns.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Common Wood Pigeon vs Mourning Dove

Common Wood Pigeon

A large, gentle urban and forest dweller.

Mourning Dove

Gentle ground-feeding visitors with a soothing call.

Common Wood Pigeon vs White-Winged Dove

Common Wood Pigeon

A large, gentle urban and forest dweller.

White-Winged Dove

A peaceful ground-feeder with a soothing coo.

Eurasian Collared Dove vs Mourning Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

Mourning Dove

Gentle ground-feeding visitors with a soothing call.

Eurasian Collared Dove vs White-Winged Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

White-Winged Dove

A peaceful ground-feeder with a soothing coo.

Eurasian Collared Dove vs African Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

African Collared Dove