Birds of the Botanic Gardens

Eurasian Collared Dove: Streptopelia decaocto; Local name: Collared Dove, Eurasian Dove;
Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

Description: 25-28 cm (10-11 in) long, about size of the Mountain (Zanaida) Dove, but somewhat more streamlined; a recent colonizer, has light buff-brown plumage over head and body, with pinkish brown on belly; has short, black bill; eyes red but seemingly black due to large pupil; at back of neck has distinctive black half-collar with white upper edge from which it gets its name; wing patches are slightly darker buff with almost black trailing edges; tail long, buff above, white with black base below; has short, red legs; seen singly or in small flocks in ornamental section of Gardens and on bordering electric cables; usually make cooing call, and make screech when excited; feed mainly on seeds, but also on berries; click here for feeding video, and here for cooing..

​References:
Peter Alden, et al. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. Alfred Knopf, New York, 1998
Wikipedia. Eurasian Collared Dove. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Jan.1, 2007 (en.wikipedia.org)
G.A. Gough, J.R. Sauer, M. Iliff. Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. 1998. (mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov).