Introduction
The Red Collared Dove, also known as the Red Turtle-Dove, is a small Asian dove with the accepted scientific name Streptopelia tranquebarica. It is recognised by the strong difference between the richly coloured male and the much duller female, together with a narrow black collar on the hindneck. The species is commonly associated with open countryside, cultivated land, woodland edges and human settlements across tropical and subtropical Asia.
Physical Description
The Red Collared Dove is a relatively small dove, measuring about 23 cm in length. It has a compact body, a short tail and dark wings. The species shows marked sexual dimorphism.
- The male has a bluish-grey head, a narrow black collar across the hindneck, and rich reddish-brown to wine-coloured upperparts and underparts. The rump is darker grey, while the wings are blackish with paler edging.
- The female is considerably duller, with mainly brownish-grey or buff-brown plumage. The black hindneck collar remains visible but contrasts less strongly with the rest of the plumage.
- Juveniles resemble females and usually show paler or buff feather edges. Young males gradually acquire the richer adult plumage as they mature.
- Both sexes have dark bills, dark eyes and purplish to dark legs. Pale markings on the tail and undertail become noticeable when the bird flies.
Range and Habitat
The Red Collared Dove occurs across southern and eastern Asia. Its range extends from Pakistan and India eastwards through parts of Nepal, Bangladesh, southern China and mainland Southeast Asia, with additional populations on some islands in the Philippines and Indonesia. The species is generally resident, although local or seasonal movements may occur in response to food availability and weather.
It favours open or lightly wooded landscapes rather than dense, closed forest. Typical habitats include farmland, grassland, plantations, village edges, scrub, forest clearings, orchards and urban or suburban areas. Birds often use exposed perches such as telephone wires, dead branches and fence posts, then descend to bare ground or short vegetation to feed.
Geographic variation occurs across the range, and recognised regional forms can differ subtly in size and plumage tone. The species is not endemic to a single country or island group.
Where to See This Species
Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima and neighbouring provinces, Thailand
The Red Collared Dove is included on bird checklists for Khao Yai National Park. The park’s forest edges, clearings, open grassland and cultivated areas around the park provide suitable habitat, although the species is more likely in open sections and along access roads than in dense forest. It can often be searched for on wires, exposed branches and open ground.
Nearby accommodation: Pak Chong is the principal gateway town, with hotels, guest houses, resorts and self-catering accommodation.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, India
The Red Collared Dove is documented on the bird checklist for Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Open woodland, forest margins, grassland and nearby cultivated areas offer suitable conditions, particularly around settlements and more open parts of the sanctuary. It may be encountered during daytime birding along roads and edges rather than deep inside closed forest.
Nearby accommodation: Masinagudi and Theppakadu provide lodges, guest houses, camps and other wildlife-tourism accommodation, while Ooty is a larger regional base with a wider choice of hotels.
Manas National Park, Assam, India
The species has been documented in the Manas National Park area, including the Banasbari sector. The park’s extensive grasslands, woodland edges, riverine habitats and surrounding agricultural landscape are appropriate places to look for an open-country dove. Local abundance may vary, so a sighting should be treated as possible rather than guaranteed on every visit.
Nearby accommodation: The Bansbari and Barpeta Road areas provide forest lodges, guest houses, homestays and small hotels used by visitors to the park.
Behaviour and Diet
Red Collared Doves are usually seen singly, in pairs or in small groups. They spend much of the day on the ground, walking through open areas while searching for food, but readily use wires, poles and trees as resting and calling sites. Their flight is direct and fairly rapid, with the pale tail markings sometimes visible as they move between perches and feeding areas.
The diet consists mainly of seeds and grains collected from the ground. The birds may also take other plant material and occasional small invertebrates or fallen fruit when available. Their use of farmland and village margins brings them into regular contact with cultivated crops, although the species is not solely dependent on agriculture.
Pairs maintain contact with soft, repetitive cooing calls. Courtship includes bowing movements, calling and other displays by the male, and both partners may participate in pair-bonding behaviour. The nest is a simple platform of twigs and plant material, usually placed in a tree, shrub or other elevated vegetation. A typical clutch contains two white eggs. Incubation lasts about two weeks, and the young generally leave the nest roughly two weeks after hatching, although timing varies with conditions.
Identification Tips
- Look for a small, short-tailed dove with a distinct black collar on the hindneck.
- Adult males are especially distinctive because of their bluish-grey head and rich reddish-brown or wine-coloured body.
- Females and juveniles are much plainer, appearing brownish-grey or buff-brown, but they retain the dark hindneck collar.
- The Red Collared Dove is smaller and shorter-tailed than the Eurasian Collared Dove. The male is also much more reddish, while the female is browner and less cleanly grey.
- Do not rely on the collar alone. Check the bird’s overall size, short tail, body colour and the pale tail or undertail markings, especially when identifying a dull female or juvenile.
Conservation Status
The Red Collared Dove is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its broad distribution, adaptability and apparently large population support this assessment. It is not currently regarded as globally threatened.
Nevertheless, local populations may be affected by habitat conversion, changes in agricultural practices, hunting and the loss of open woodland or mixed rural habitats. Regional monitoring in India indicates that trends can vary between landscapes, with some protected-area populations showing declines even though the species remains widespread overall. Maintaining a varied agricultural landscape, protecting woodland edges and limiting unsustainable hunting are useful conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Red Collared Dove live?
It occurs across southern and eastern Asia, from Pakistan and India through mainland Southeast Asia and parts of southern China, with additional island populations in parts of the Philippines and Indonesia. It favours open woodland, farmland, scrub, grassland and settlements.
How can you identify a male Red Collared Dove?
The adult male has a bluish-grey head, a black hindneck collar and rich reddish-brown or wine-coloured plumage over much of the body. Its short tail and pale tail markings are also useful in flight.
How can you identify a female Red Collared Dove?
The female is much duller than the male, with brownish-grey or buff-brown plumage. The narrow black collar is still present, but it is less conspicuous because the surrounding plumage is not strongly coloured.
What does the Red Collared Dove eat?
It feeds mainly on seeds and grains gathered from the ground. Other plant material, fallen fruit and occasional small invertebrates may also be taken.
Is the Red Collared Dove migratory?
It is generally a resident species, although local or seasonal movements may occur. Birds may move short distances when food availability, rainfall or agricultural conditions change.
Is the Red Collared Dove endangered?
No. The species is currently classified as Least Concern globally. Local populations can still be affected by habitat loss, hunting and changes in rural land use.
References
- IOC World Bird List
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- State of India’s Birds
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