African Collared-Dove Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAfrican Collared-Dove
Adult
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.
© Juan Ramírez / Macaulay LibrarySaint-Louis, January 12, 2022Adult
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.
© Jens Eriksen / Macaulay LibraryDhofar, February 17, 2016Adult
Rare in continental North America. Often found around human habitation.
© Ted Floyd / Macaulay LibraryColorado, March 25, 2016Adult
Plumage can vary from pale gray-white to tawny-buff. Wingtips are only slightly darker than the rest of the wing and back.
© Finn Davey / Macaulay LibraryAuckland, October 11, 2019Adult
Plumage can vary from pale gray-white to tawny-buff. Wingtips are only slightly darker than the rest of the wing and back.
© Noel Ward / Macaulay LibraryAuckland, October 30, 2020Adult
Found in arid habitats in native range.
© Jérémy Calvo / Macaulay LibrarySaint-Louis, March 01, 2016Similar SpeciesEurasian Collared-Dove
Adult/immature
Eurasian Collared-Doves are far more common in continental North America than African Collared-Doves. Eurasian tends to be a sandier brown than African, which is paler overall. Note the Eurasian's dark gray wingtips (primaries) that contrast with the lighter brown back.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 12, 2015Similar SpeciesEurasian Collared-Dove
Adult/immature
Eurasian Collared-Doves have gray undertail coverts and dark wingtips that contrast strongly with the rest of the wing, whereas African Collared-Doves are white under the tail and have paler wingtips.
© Jesse Amesbury / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, January 13, 2017Similar SpeciesMourning Dove
Adult
Mourning Doves are smaller and richer brown than African Collared-Doves, with a pointed tail and black spots on the back. Mourning Doves lack a black half-collar on the neck.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 08, 2014Similar SpeciesWhite-winged Dove
Adult/immature
White-winged Dove has large white patches on the wings, visible even when the wing is folded. It lacks the black neck crescent and white-tipped tail of African Collared-Dove.
© Ted Bradford / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 12, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Pigeons and Doves(Order: Columbiformes, Family: Columbidae)
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