© © Fergus Gill/2020Vision Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Collared doves are small, common pigeons found in farmland, woodland, parks and gardens across the country. © © Gillian Day Since breeding in the UK was first recorded in the 1950s numbers have increased and the collared dove is now one of the top ten garden visitors in the UK. Collared doves feed on seeds and grain on the ground and are usually seen singularly or in pairs but small flocks may form where there is enough food. How to Identify Collared doves are buff-coloured with darker grey wingtips, a black half-collar and paler patches at the shoulders and at the end of the tail. Less colourful than the turtle dove, it also sounds different: turtle doves have a purring ‘turrr turrr turr’ song, compared to the familiar ‘hoo hoooo-hoo’ of the collared ove. Where to Find Found everywhere. How People Can Help During the mid-20th century collared doves expanded their range from Asia and the Middle East into Europe, becoming one of our commonest garden birds. Their smaller size and gentler nature make them welcome visitors to most gardens and they’ll benefit from food and water put out for other, less common, garden bird species. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there’s plenty of facts and tips to get you started. Did you know? The collared dove is one of the great colonisers of the bird world, having spread west from Asia it has even reached America. Key FactsLength: 31-33cmWingspan: 51cmWeight: 200gAverage Lifespan: 3 years Donate Donate to help support Collared Doves and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds