Merlin
Browse all birds

African Collared-Dove Identification

African Collared-Dove Adult/immature
Adult/immature

Fairly large dove with small, round head, thin bill, and square tail. Pale buff-white overall, with black crescent on nape. Note white undertail coverts.

© Ted Floyd | Macaulay LibraryColorado, March 25, 2016
African Collared-Dove Adult/immature
Adult/immature

Fairly large dove with long, square-tipped tail and thin bill. The tail is dark at the base and white at the tip; white extends all the way to the edges of the tail feathers. Note white undertail.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryLajas, April 22, 2014
African Collared-Dove Adult/immature
Adult/immature

Plumage can vary from pale gray-white to tawny-buff. Wingtips are only slightly darker than the rest of the wing and back.

© Derek Stokes | Macaulay LibraryAuckland, October 02, 2015
African Collared-Dove Adult/immature
Adult/immature

Rare in continental North America. Often found around human habitation.

© Robert Tovey | Macaulay LibraryDhofar, May 13, 2016
See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Looking for ID Help?

Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized bird.
  • Small head.
  • Pale buff to white body and head.
  • Black half-collar on back of neck.
  • Medium-long square tail.

Immature Description

Juvenile paler and duller, with gray feet and eyes that gradually change to adult color. Eyes become yellowish, then orange, then adult red.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 10.2-10.6 in (26-27 cm)
    • Weight: 4.6-5.9 oz (130-166 g)
    • Wingspan: 17.7-19.7 in (45-50 cm)

Species in This Family

Pigeons and Doves(Order: Columbiformes, Family:Columbidae)

Rock PigeonRock Pigeon
White-crowned PigeonWhite-crowned Pigeon
Band-tailed PigeonBand-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-DoveEurasian Collared-Dove
African Collared-DoveAfrican Collared-Dove
Inca DoveInca Dove
Common Ground-DoveCommon Ground-Dove
White-tipped DoveWhite-tipped Dove
White-winged DoveWhite-winged Dove
Mourning DoveMourning Dove

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read