Mourning Collared Dove

The Mourning Collared Dove, or African Mourning Dove, is a robust pigeon, stretching up to 31 cm from beak to tail. Its plumage is a blend of pale brown across the back, wings, and tail, with a grey head and pink underparts that transition to pale grey on the belly. A distinctive black patch graces the nape, neatly framed by white. The legs and eye-surrounding skin exhibit a vivid red.

Identification Tips

When in flight, this dove reveals blackish flight feathers and a generous display of white in the tail, setting it apart from the larger Red-eyed Dove. The Mourning Collared Dove's call is a rapid "krrrrrrrr," followed by a resonant "oo-OO, oo." Both sexes appear similar, though the juveniles present a duller hue with scalloped body feathers.

Habitat

These doves are commonly found in proximity to water sources, where they thrive and are often seen in abundance.

Distribution

The Mourning Collared Dove is a resident breeder across Africa, south of the Sahara, where it is widespread.

Behaviour

In flight, the Mourning Collared Dove exhibits the typical pigeon traits: steady beats interspersed with occasional sharp wing flicks.

Diet and Feeding

Grass seeds, grains, and other plant matter constitute the diet of these doves. They are predominantly terrestrial and prefer to forage on the ground. Unlike their congeners, they display a sociable nature, often feeding in groups.

Breeding

The species constructs its nest from sticks, favoring trees for this purpose, often opting for mangroves. The female lays a clutch of two white eggs.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Mourning Collared Dove as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.