Bird Guide

European Turtle Dove vs Red Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)

European Turtle Dove

Streptopelia turtur

Medium132 gWoodland

The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other doves. It measures 26–28 cm (10–11 in) in length, has a wingspan of 47–53 cm (19–21 in) and weighs 100–156 g (3.5–5.5 oz). It can be recognised by its brown colouring and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. When the bird flies from the observer, the tail is notable as it is wedge-shaped with a dark centre and white borders and tips. When viewed from below, the pattern, due to the white under-tail coverts obscuring the dark bases, resembles a blackish chevron on a white background.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Vasileia Sef · CC BY 4.0
Red Collared Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica)

Red Collared Dove

Streptopelia tranquebarica

Medium103 gWoodland

The red collared dove is a relatively small species, with a length of 20.5–23 cm (8.1–9.1 in) and a weight of around 104 g (3.7 oz). The male has a bluish head and light red-brown body with a black ring round its neck, while the female is similar but pinkish all over.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ben Costamagna · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: European Turtle Dove and Red Collared Dove.