Collared Dove (29–32cm, 11–13in)

The Collared Dove is such a charming bird! It has a slender body, a delightful long tail, and can be easily spotted all across Europe. Whether you're in a bustling city, a cozy town, or a quaint village, you'll surely catch a glimpse of this lovely creature. It even frequents more open areas, spreading its beauty far and wide.

What's truly fascinating is how the Collared Dove has expanded its horizons. Originating from Asia, it made quite an "invasion" into Europe during the mid-1900s. By the early 1950s, lucky observers started spotting these birds in Britain. Fast forward to 1955, and a small breeding population had already established itself in East Anglia. And now, after a remarkable 40-year journey, the Collared Dove has truly made Britain its home, with large numbers gracing the land.

Identifying Collared Doves isn't too difficult, although a distant view might cause some confusion with the Turtle Dove. Collared Doves have broad wings and long tails, and their plumage is generally pale, creating a distinctive appearance. And who could forget their enchanting call? It goes something like 'coo-coo-kut,' with the middle syllable slightly higher and more emphasized, and the final one short and snappy. It has become one of the most familiar sounds of suburbia, infusing our daily lives with a touch of natural melodiousness. Sometimes, folks mistake it for the call of a Cuckoo, but in reality, there's little resemblance between the two. Oh, and when Collared Doves take to the air, they even emit a drawn-out nasal sound, somewhat like 'kwurr.'

Both adults and youngsters have a dark bill, with a black eye surrounded by a delicate white ring and reddish legs and feet. This young one (on the right) is quite alike, but doesn't have the recognizable collar of an adult, and its feathers appear more grayish and have a textured, scaled appearance.

The head and breast have a lovely, soft hue of pink. The neck displays its unique black and white collar. The mantle is a light sandy-brown, while the rump appears gray, gradually transitioning to the charming buffy color of the uppertail feathers. When the tail is closed, it takes on a grayish appearance with outer feathers that are buffy and white. The wings have a sandy-brown shade with touches of gray on the forewing and black tips. The belly has a gentle, ashy-gray tone, tinged with a hint of pink, which grows darker on the undertail-coverts and vent. You may also come across some Collared Doves that showcase an incredibly pale plumage, giving them a 'washed-out' appearance.

Collared Doves love to perch on wires or telegraph poles. The males serenade with their sweet "coos," trying to impress a mate. Both males and females find their cozy spots, tucking their heads in and simply enjoying the day, carefree and content.

When you spot Collared Doves in flight, you can easily notice their distinctive pale head and black collar. But there's more to admire when you catch a glimpse of the bird's upper body. The black wing tips create a striking contrast against the gray and brown inner wings. You'll also be captivated by the prominent gray rump. And the tail pattern is truly fascinating—white tips on all feathers except the central ones, with a touch of blackish grey at the base. Enjoy observing these beautiful details!

Collared Doves love to gracefully soar in the sky, their wings spread wide. If you spot them from below, they appear pleasantly light in color: their breast maintains a gentle pink hue, beautifully contrasting with the soft greyish-white shade of their underwings, accentuated by a striking pattern of black and white on the undertail.

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