Mourning collared dove

Mourning collared dove
S. d. decipiens in Ethiopia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Streptopelia
Species:
S. decipiens
Binomial name
Streptopelia decipiens
(Hartlaub & Finsch, 1870)

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

Description

The mourning collared dove is a medium-sized, stocky pigeon, 28–30 cm in length. It has a pale grey head and pinkish-grey body, with a broad black half-collar finely edged in white on the back and sides of the neck. The wings are broad and pointed, pale brown with darker brown flight feathers. The legs, and a patch of bare skin around the eye, are red, and the iris is pale yellow to brownish. When flying, it shows dark flight feathers and extensive white in the tail, the latter being a distinction from the similar but slightly larger red-eyed dove; this also differs in having a red iris.

The sexes are similar, but immatures are duller than adults, and have scalloping on the body feathers.

Taxonomy

Six subspecies are accepted:

The subspecies differ in the tone and intensity of the body colour, and in the iris colour.

Behaviour

The flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.

Diet and feeding

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

Sounds

The call is a deep, nasal note that sounds along the lines of kuk-koooo-kuk. This call pattern is flat and considered a hoot.

Reproduction

These birds typically mate monogamously and the timing in which they mate depends on location. For example, breeding occurs from December to June in Sudan, but September to October in Chad, and in Senegal and Gambia, breeding occurs throughout the year. They tend to build a stick nest in low tree branch or bush, preferably closer to the ground, often a mangrove. A clutch of two white eggs that are laid. The eggs need to be incubated for 13–14 days, which is done by both male and female, with the young fledging after 15–18 days.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Streptopelia decipiens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T22690477A93274340. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22690477A93274340.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 4 Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx edicions. 1997. pp. 136, 138. ISBN 84-87334-22-9.
  3. ↑ Newman, Kenneth (1998). Newman's birds of Southern Africa. Halfway House: Southern Book Publ. pp. 196–197. ISBN 1-86812-757-5.
  4. ↑ AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi:10.2173/avilist.v2025. Retrieved 2026-08-18.