Collared Dove
The collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a slim, pale pinkish-buff dove with a narrow black half-collar on the back of its neck and dark wing tips.
On the islands
Collared doves live around villages, farms and gardens on inhabited islands, often perched on wires and roofs. They nest in trees and buildings and can breed almost year round.
When to see
Present all year.
Did you know?
Collared doves first bred in Britain in 1955, after a rapid spread across Europe from the Balkans, and soon reached even remote islands.
Where to see it on the islands
On Search Isle, the collared dove is recorded on 149 islands. They are spread across Scotland (82), England (34), Wales (17), Ireland (9) and Crown Dependencies (7).
The most records come from Isle of Man (Isle of Man, 3,377 records), St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly, 2,033 records), Anglesey (North Coast, 1,124 records) and Isle of Wight (Hampshire, 1,098 records). These counts reflect where people have looked as well as where the animal lives: busy islands, and those with bird observatories, have far more records than remote ones.
Through the year
The collared dove can be seen all year round on the islands. You can listen to a recording of it beside this page.
Other pigeons and doves
The collared dove is one of 4 pigeons and doves on Search Isle, alongside Rock Dove, Stock Dove and Woodpigeon.
