THE EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto

Collared Doves are common visitors on the farm, and I took these photos last week on the way to Marco and Paula's house. I decided to walk down towards their house with the understanding that I would be given a lift back home, and making the effort paid off,  because I saw two doves foraging under the trees, and was able to get these shots, but  unfortunately they were in the shade, and not together in one photo.

They were probably looking for invertebrates, but they eat seeds, grains, buds, shoots and berries. They like millet, sunflower seeds, wheat, and corn, and they, as you see here, are mainly ground foragers. 

They have a long tail, and their total length is 32 cm with a wingspan of 51 cm. Their colour is a pinky-brown grey colour with the distinctive black neck collar, as the name suggests, and their feet are red.

They originated from India, but now are a common sight in most countries. The male and female are very similar in appearance, and difficult to tell apart. I photographed them both, but can anyone see which is which?

It is the males who show the females potential nest sights, usually in tall trees, but occasionally on buildings. In between these site visits, the pair preen each other. Male doves bring females sticks, twigs, and grass weeds, for their simple nests which usually consist of a platform of sticks. 

 

In warm regions the monogamous pair may raise up to six broods  a  year. The female incubates the eggs during the day, before swapping over at dusk for the male to incubate during the night. Quite right too! :=)

Pairs are often seen perched together on an exposed branch, touching their bills lovingly, like kisses, also on  the head and neck. I find their cooing a peaceful noise, others may find it monotonous, and incredibly annoying.

Doves are often included in weddings, either literally or artistically because they symbolise lifetime love. There is no doubt that they show each other great affection, and although a common sight, they are rather elegant birds and worth a second look when next you see them.

Breeding population is an estimated 50.000 plus pairs in Portugal and the first reported sighting was in the city of Oporto in 1974.

With it's arrival, and expansion through the southern half of Portugal,  in the last decade of the 20th century, it's colonisation of the western Palearctic is complete.