Things you need to know about COLLARED DOVES

In this video we cover everything you need to know about collared doves. If you enjoy these fact file style videos then be sure to have a look at the other British wildlife fact files over on the channel. Collared doves are in the top 15 most common garden birds in the UK but that has not always been the case. In fact, they only first started breeding in this country in 1956 when a pair was spotted nesting in North Norfolk. Unlike a lot of recent additions to the UK countryside, collared doves arrived here naturally after spreading across Europe from their original range in Asia. They are quite small compared to other UK pigeons with a wingspan of just 50 cm and growing to weights of around 200grams. Adults are dark beige with a distinctive black collar around the back of their necks. Young birds and nestlings are a similar colour but they do not have the collar. They also have red eyes and washed out pink feet and legs. Collared doves will eat a wide range of foods but this is always plant based