White-Winged Dove or Eurasian Collared Dove ?

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.5

There's more to learn about White-Winged Dove

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

White-Winged Dove

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Eurasian Collared Dove

White-Winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

General appearance

The White-winged Dove has a bulky body with short tail and measures approximately 12 inches or 30 cm in length, which is about the size of a crow. Its most distinctive characteristics are its big white wing patches and white tips on outer tail feathers. These features are most visible during flight. The dove has a broad, pointed wing shape and a rounded, square-tipped tail. The color varies from black, blue, brown, to gray and white.

Male vs female

Male and female White-winged Doves are similar in appearance. They both share the same unique coloration and physical traits, including the noticeable white markings on the wings and tail. Any differences between the genders are minimal and not easily discernible.

Juvenile

Juvenile White-winged Doves do not possess the vibrant and stark coloration seen in adults. Instead of the wide range of colors observed in adults, they are generally more brown, serving as a form of camouflage. However, as they grow and mature, they'll acquire the full array of adult coloration.

Size

11.0 - 11.8 in/4.4 - 6.6 oz

There's more to learn about White-Winged Dove

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 White-Winged Dove from the Eurasian Collared Dove

Visual differences

The White-Winged Dove is roughly 12 inches long, while the Eurasian Collared Dove is slightly longer at about 12.5 inches. The White-Winged Dove showcases notable large white wing patches and white outer tail tips, contrasting with the Eurasian Collared Dove's narrow black neck ring. The Collared Dove also displays a more consistent pale brown color. Both species have broad, pointed wings and rounded, square-tipped tails, although the Collared Dove's tail patterns are generally darker and feature large white patches. Their size and wing shapes are fairly similar.

Key differences and behavior

The White-Winged Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove exhibit distinct behaviors across several dimensions. White-Winged Doves primarily inhabit semi-open southwestern U.S. environments, adapting well to modified habitats, including gardens where they build crude nests. Their courtship involves cooing and aerial displays. Conversely, Eurasian Collared Doves thrive in suburbs and farmlands, often nesting in trees or shrubs, with males displaying by spiraling in flight and emitting calls. Diet-wise, White-Winged Doves focus on seeds, cactus fruits, and nectar, adapting to human feeders by consuming sunflower seeds and milo. Eurasian Collared Doves primarily eat seeds, occasionally berries and insects, diving into human-provided foods like bread crumbs. White-Winged Doves prioritize caring for their young with crop milk, consuming snails and bone fragments, whereas Eurasian Collared Doves are known for multiple broods. Their adaptive nesting and feeding behaviors enable both to integrate well into human environments.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

White-Winged Dove vs Mourning Dove

White-Winged Dove

A peaceful ground-feeder with a soothing coo.

Mourning Dove

Gentle ground-feeding visitors with a soothing call.

White-Winged Dove vs White-Tipped Dove

White-Winged Dove

A peaceful ground-feeder with a soothing coo.

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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 African Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

African Collared Dove