African Collared Doves
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The African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) is native to Africa, specifically from the arid region south of the Sahara. Its range extends in a band right across the continent, and into southern Arabia. Although it lives in arid lands, it is found around water sources.
It is reported to have been introduced into New Zealand, but it is more likely that the birds there are descended from domestic Barbary Doves.
Description:
This bird is typically around 26 cm in length. Its upper body, from shoulders to tail, is a pale grayish brown, though the wing edge has a bluish tinge. Flight feathers are darker, and nearly black. Head, neck and breast are pinkish shading to white on the chin and belly. There is little sexual dimorphism (visual physical differences between the sexes) .
Similar Species:
The African Collared Dove is the species thought to be the wild ancestor of the domestic Barbary Dove, though some suggest the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) may also have been involved. The African Collared Dove is able to hybridise with the Barbary Dove, and it is thought that the increase in the range of colors of Barbary Doves available that occurred in the later twentieth century was the result of the importation of African Collared Doves into the United States for interbreeding.
| African Collared Dove | Eurasian Collared Dove | |
| Size: | At an average of 11" this dove is smaller than the Eurasian CollaredDove | This dover is larger than the African collared Dove, averaging 13" in length |
| Longest Wing Feathers (aka Primaries) | light pale gray | dark greyish-brown |
| Undertail feathers | white with white edges | gray with dark edges |
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