Streptopelia roseogrisea
African collared-dove
(Also: African collared dove)

African collared-doves are found in an east-west belt from the southern coastal areas of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to coastal Somalia, extreme southeastern Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to Senegal and Mauritainia. The nominate is found from western Ethiopia westward, and the subspecies, Streptopelia roseogrisea arabica, is found in eastern Ethiopia, Somalia and the southern Arabian peninsula. (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001)

This dove frequents arid scrub with acacia and watering holes or a river nearby. African collared-doves are sometimes found in open agricultural land and grassy areas as well as parks and mangroves. (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001)

This dove has a length of 260 to 270 mm and weighs 150 to 160 g. Wing length for males and females is 160 to 169 and 158 to 164 mm, respectively. Tail length is 96 to 124 mm. Tarsal length is 24 to 30 mm, while the bill lenth is 14 to 18 mm (Gibbs et al., 2001).

African collared-doves have a pale rosy-greyish-fawn coloration on their crown, neck, and nape (Goodwin, 1983; Gibbs et al., 2001). On the hindneck, there is a narrow black semi-collar. This is edged with white on the top margin. The back, rump, and most of the upper wing is pale sandy brown. The outer wing coverts are pale grey and the primaries have a brownish-grey color. Under the wings, the coloration is whitish. The central tail is greyish-brown and the other tail feathers are darker grey with white tips. The gradation of the white tips becomes greater toward the outer tail feathers, where the outermost tail feathers have a white edge. The breast, and underparts are a pale rose-pink to whitish. The eye is dark red, the bill is black, and the feet are red. Overall, juvenile birds are paler in coloration. They are similar to the adults, except that the semi-collar is not as evident, the eye is a pale yellowish-brown, and the feet are a greyish-brown (Gibbs et al., 2001).

The subspecies, Streptopelia roseogrisea arabica, is darker than the nominate with grey coloration under the wings (Goodwin, 1983; Gibbs et al., 2001). (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001; Goodwin, 1983)

We do not have information on lifespan/longevity for this species at this time.

The doves will roost and drink at the same site and may congregate in very large numbers. African collard-doves will migrate seasonally from the dry northern parts of their range to southern Nigeria and Cameroon (Gibbs et al., 2001). (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001; Gos, 1989)

Home Range

We do not have information on home range for this species at this time.

African collared-doves utter a distinctive call that consists of two parts. The first part, the coo, is followed by a long descending utterance as "rrrrrrrrroooo" or "corrrrrrooo".

During courship displays, the male engages in deep bowing with the bill positioned almost toward the ground. The feathers around his head are ruffled and erect. A display flight consists of a rapid ascent with loud wing clapping, then a downward glide with the wing feathers held stiffly and the tail spread out.

This dove is capable of seeing ultraviolet light. In addition, it has exceptional hearing capabilities. In some studies it has been shown that doves can hear sounds at wavelengths of approximately 6439 meters long (Gos, 1989). (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001; Goodwin, 1983; Gos, 1989)

Aftrican collared-doves forage on the ground for a variety of grass seeds and other plants, including cultivated grains (Goodwin, 1983). They will also eat berries, insects, and snails. At times when wetter conditions prevail, the dependence on proximity to watering holes is reduced and they may eat more berries and have a preference for grass plants, especially Panicum laetum. In drier times, they may prefer dicots, especially Tribulus terrestris (Gibbs et al., 2001).

In order to drink water, these doves do not need to tilt their heads back to swallow. Instead, they are capable of putting their beaks in pools of water and using the beak much as humans would use a straw (Gos, 1989). (Gibbs, Barnes, and Cox, 2001; Goodwin, 1983; Gos, 1989)

We do not have information on predation for this species at this time.

African collared-doves have an impact on the plants and prey they eat.

There are no known adverse affects of African collared-doves on humans.

For many years, these doves have been used to develop domesticated stock to be kept in aviaries. They are calm, quiet, docile birds and are the symbol of peace and love.

African collared-doves are listed as Appendix III by CITES.

Streptopelia roseogrisea has been used as wild stock in the development and domestication of S. risoria (Goodwin, 1983; Pire, 2000). (Goodwin, 1983; Pire, 2000)