Mourning Collared Dove

Overview

The mourning collared dove, or African mourning dove (Streptopelia decipiens), is a medium-sized pigeon that serves as a widespread resident breeding bird across Africa south of the Sahara. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the North American mourning dove.

Identification

• Medium-sized and stocky, measuring 28–30 cm in length, with a pale grey head and pinkish-grey body.
• Features a broad black half-collar finely edged in white on the back and sides of the neck, with red legs and a patch of bare red skin around the eye.
• Displays dark flight feathers and extensive white in the tail during flight, distinguishing it from the similar but larger red-eyed dove.
• Produces a deep, nasal call described as 'kuk-koooo-kuk', which is flat and hoot-like.

Habitat

This species is common or abundant near water and is found as a resident in Africa south of the Sahara. Its range spans from Mauritania and Senegambia to southern Niger, central Nigeria, and across various regions in East, South, and Central Africa, including the Limpopo Valley.

Diet

Mourning collared doves feed on grass seeds, grain, and other vegetation. They are quite terrestrial and usually forage on the ground, often feeding gregariously in groups.

Did you know?

Breeding schedules vary significantly by location, occurring from December to June in Sudan, September to October in Chad, and year-round in Senegal and Gambia. Both parents share the duty of incubating two white eggs for 13–14 days, with the young fledging after 15–18 days.