People usually end up searching for the African mourning dove when they’ve seen a collared, grey-brown dove near water or around a town edge in sub‑Saharan Africa—and they want to know what it is, whether it’s unusual, and how to tell it from similar “ringneck” doves.
The details matter. Several Streptopelia doves look alike at a glance, and the quickest clues are often small: a red patch of bare skin around the eye, a dark half‑collar on the nape, and a soft, rolling call that carries at dawn and late afternoon.1, 2
Quick profile: African mourning dove (mourning collared-dove)
- Common names: African mourning dove; mourning collared-dove1, 2
- Scientific name: Streptopelia decipiens2, 3
- Range: Widespread south of the Sahara (resident breeder)2
- Typical habitat: Savanna and open woodland, especially near water; also around human settlement2, 4
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN / BirdLife)2
Identification: what to look for in the field
The African mourning dove is a medium-sized, stocky dove with a grey head, buff‑brown wings and back, and pinkish tones on the underparts. On the nape sits a black hind‑neck patch edged pale, giving the “collared” look that links it to several close relatives.2
A particularly useful clue is the bare red skin around the eye (often noted as a red orbital ring). In good light it stands out against the softer plumage and helps separate it from similar ringneck doves.5
Size and measurements
Adults are often described as reaching about 32 cm in length (commonly around the high‑20s to low‑30s, depending on source and population).2
Common lookalikes
- Cape turtle dove / ring-necked dove (Streptopelia capicola): overlaps in “half‑collar” pattern; careful attention to facial skin and overall tone helps, especially at waterholes where multiple species gather.5, 6
- Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata): another common sub‑Saharan species with a collar feature in the group; best separated with a full field guide view of head/eye features and voice.7
Habitat and distribution
The species is a widespread resident breeder across much of sub‑Saharan Africa. It is often common or abundant near water, and it can be seen in savanna and open woodland as well as around farms, towns, and gardens where feeding opportunities are reliable.2, 4
Behaviour and ecology
African mourning doves are regularly encountered as singles or pairs, and they may also feed in small groups, especially where seed is concentrated on the ground. They’re ground foragers, walking and pecking steadily through short grass, bare earth, and leaf litter for fallen seed and grain.2
Where conditions allow, pairs may stay together for long periods. As with many doves, nesting is typically a simple platform of twigs, placed in a tree or shrub rather than elaborately woven.8
Diet
The diet is mainly seeds and grains, taken from the ground. This keeps them tied to open patches—track edges, grazed areas, and the scuffed margins of waterholes—where seed is exposed and easy to pick up quickly.2
Breeding
Clutches are typically two eggs, with both adults involved in incubation and chick care, a familiar pattern across many dove species.8
Conservation status
The African mourning dove is assessed as Least Concern. That does not mean pressures are absent—local habitat change and water availability can still shape where the birds thrive—but across its broad range it is not currently considered globally threatened.2
Notes on common misconceptions
- Not the North American mourning dove: Despite the shared name, the African mourning dove is a different species (and not closely related to the North American mourning dove).2
- Collar details vary across “ringneck” doves: Several African Streptopelia doves carry a similar dark nape patch. Eye‑area skin colour and voice are often more decisive than the collar alone.5, 6
References
- eBird — Mourning Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decipiens) species profile
- BirdLife/IUCN summary (via Wikipedia) — Mourning collared dove (Streptopelia decipiens)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Mourning Collared Dove (Streptopelia decipiens)
- Animal Diversity Web — Streptopelia roseogrisea (habitat notes useful for comparison within collared doves)
- The Guardian (GrrlScientist) — “Mystery bird: African mourning dove, Streptopelia decipiens” (ID note on red orbital ring)
- BirdLife/IUCN summary (via Wikipedia) — Ring-necked dove / Cape turtle dove (Streptopelia capicola)
- BirdLife/IUCN summary (via Wikipedia) — Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)
- Cornell Lab (All About Birds) — Mourning Dove life history (clutch size and typical dove nesting pattern)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom