Mourning Collared Dove

Streptopelia decipiens

Least ConcernUncommonSeedsShrublandPlatform nestMedium · 134 g

About the Mourning Collared Dove

The mourning collared dove or African mourning dove is a dove which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the North American mourning dove. This species is common or abundant near water. They often mingle peacefully with other doves.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The Mourning Collared Dove is a medium-sized, stocky pigeon, up to 32 cm in length. It is often black with pale brown wings, which are broad and pointed. The head is grey and the underside is pink, giving a pale grey shading on the belly. There is a black hind neck patch edged with white. The legs and a patch of bare skin around the eye are red. When flying, it shows dark colored flight feathers and extensive white in the tail, the latter being a distinction from the similar but larger red-eyed dove. Voice: The call from the Mourning Collared Dove is a deep, nasally call note that sounds along the lines of kuk-koooo-kuk. This call pattern is flat and considered a hoot.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Central African Republic.

When to see it

Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Mourning Collared Dove for real

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