Mourning Collared Dove
NameMourning Collared Dove
Common NameMourning Collared Dove
Scientific NameStreptopelia decipiens
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)42.5
Length (cm)29.5
Weight (g)175
Plumage DetailsThe head and underparts are pale greyish-pink, becoming whiter on the forehead and throat. A prominent black half-collar, bordered with white, marks the nape. The back and wings are brownish-grey, with darker primary feathers, and the undertail coverts are white. The eyes are reddish-orange, surrounded by a bare red orbital ring, and the legs are reddish.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a characteristic mournful 'coo-coo-coo' or 'krrruu-krrruu-krrruu' call, often repeated.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsurban, grassland, wetland, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and extending southwards to South Africa.
Identifying Featuresblack half-collar on nape, red eyes with bare red orbital ring, pale greyish-pink head and underparts, red legs, mournful cooing call
Description
The Mourning Collared Dove is a medium-sized dove characterized by its pale greyish-pink plumage, reddish eyes, and a distinctive black half-collar on its nape. It is commonly found foraging on the ground for seeds, often near water sources and human settlements across sub-Saharan Africa.
