Red-Eyed Dove vs Ring-Necked Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

How to recognise a red-eyed dove?

General appearance

The red-eyed dove is a large, long-tailed bird known for its distinct red eyes, contrasted by a grey head and lavender-grey body. It exhibits a particular wing pattern, with its back and wings being slate-grey, crossed by broad black bands. Its underparts are slightly pink, with its tail having a white tip.

Male vs female

The males and females of the red-eyed dove species exhibit monomorphism, meaning they share similar plumage and are difficult to distinguish visually. The unique identifying factor lies in their vocalization patterns where the male has a distinct five-part coo sound sequence, differing from the female's call.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-eyed doves possess a uniform brown colouration compared to adults, lacking the distinctive black wing bands. Their overall colour is duller with their eyes being more of a brownish-grey shade. As they mature, they gradually acquire the adult's characteristic markings and vibrant red eyes.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/5.7 - 10.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-eyed dove typically inhabits light woodland, savannas, and gardens in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it also thrives in urban areas and can be found in the Middle East, extending to the Arabian Peninsula.

Range Map

What do red-eyed doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-eyed dove primarily feeds on seeds, grains, and fallen fruits. It often forages on the ground, searching for these food sources in its natural habitat. Additionally, it may consume small insects and invertebrates, providing essential protein, especially during the breeding season.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the red-eyed dove is often attracted to a variety of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. These components offer a similar nutritional profile to its natural diet, encouraging the dove to visit areas where bird feeders are present.

What does a red-eyed dove sound like?

The red-eyed dove’s vocalizations involve a distinct and repetitive cooing sound. The song is a sorrowful "co-OO-oo", repeated in sequences. It is commonly mistaken for a human sounding 'no hope'. The rhythmic sequence and tone often earn them a place in local folklore. Furthermore, its coos are broken down into a series of notes, giving its song a unique touch. The duration of their songs varies but is frequently prolonged, especially during dawn and dusk. Their vocalizations play a significant role in courtship and territory marking.

Call

Audio by JMK

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Bram Piot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

View full details

Ring-Necked Dove

Streptopelia capicola

Also known as: Cape Turtle Dove, Half-Collared Dove

How to recognise a ring-necked dove?

General appearance

The ring-necked dove, often also called the Cape turtle dove or half-collared dove, stands out with its soft grey-beige plumage, underlined by a thin, black neck ring. Adults are around 25-26.5 cm in length and have broad, bright white edges on their long, pointed tail feathers. It has black eyes, red feet and legs, plus a black beak.

Male vs female

Male and female ring-necked doves look incredibly alike, both sporting the same, pale grey-brown coloration and diagnostic black ring around their neck. Subtle differences are noted in size, with males being slightly larger and usually exhibiting more robust neck rings, compared to the narrower band seen on the females.

Juvenile

Juvenile ring-necked doves possess an overall grey color, more washed out than the adults, and lack the distinctive neck ring. Their bill is more greyish, gradually turning to black as they mature, and their eye color is initially a dull brown, later changing to their iconic black. The tail feathers are also less pointy in their younger years.

Size

9.8 - 10.4 in/3.7 - 7.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The ring-necked dove predominantly inhabits South Africa. It prefers Savannas, subtropical forests, moist woodlands, and semi-desert regions.

Additional range

Additionally, it has shown resilience occupying non-traditional areas such as urban and suburban environments, adapting well to the presence of humans.

Range Map

What do ring-necked doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The ring-necked dove primarily feeds on a diet composed of seeds, which are a major component. They also consume small fruits and berries when available in their natural habitats. The birds forage mostly on the ground, picking up seeds from grasses and other plants. They occasionally eat small insects and snails, supplementing their diet with protein, especially when breeding.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, ring-necked doves are commonly attracted to grains and seeds. They tend to favor millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds, which are regularly offered in birdseed mixes. These birds are ground feeders, so platform feeders or scattered seed on the ground is ideal for attracting them to backyard feeding stations.

What does a ring-necked dove sound like?

The ring-necked dove typically vocalizes a delicate, mournful, cooing song consisting of five parts - coo-COO-coo, followed by a pause, then a final coo-COO. Its call, a soft 'hoo', is often mistaken for an owl. Males use these melodic calls to establish territory or attract mates, especially during breeding season. Interactions between doves can lead to a variety of other unique cooing patterns.

Call

Audio by MilesWelsh

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Ring-Necked Dove

View full details

Red-Eyed Dove

Tap To compare

Ring-Necked Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

General appearance

The red-eyed dove is a large, long-tailed bird known for its distinct red eyes, contrasted by a grey head and lavender-grey body. It exhibits a particular wing pattern, with its back and wings being slate-grey, crossed by broad black bands. Its underparts are slightly pink, with its tail having a white tip.

Male vs female

The males and females of the red-eyed dove species exhibit monomorphism, meaning they share similar plumage and are difficult to distinguish visually. The unique identifying factor lies in their vocalization patterns where the male has a distinct five-part coo sound sequence, differing from the female's call.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-eyed doves possess a uniform brown colouration compared to adults, lacking the distinctive black wing bands. Their overall colour is duller with their eyes being more of a brownish-grey shade. As they mature, they gradually acquire the adult's characteristic markings and vibrant red eyes.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/5.7 - 10.9 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

View full details

Ring-Necked Dove

Streptopelia capicola

Also known as: Cape Turtle Dove, Half-Collared Dove

General appearance

The ring-necked dove, often also called the Cape turtle dove or half-collared dove, stands out with its soft grey-beige plumage, underlined by a thin, black neck ring. Adults are around 25-26.5 cm in length and have broad, bright white edges on their long, pointed tail feathers. It has black eyes, red feet and legs, plus a black beak.

Male vs female

Male and female ring-necked doves look incredibly alike, both sporting the same, pale grey-brown coloration and diagnostic black ring around their neck. Subtle differences are noted in size, with males being slightly larger and usually exhibiting more robust neck rings, compared to the narrower band seen on the females.

Juvenile

Juvenile ring-necked doves possess an overall grey color, more washed out than the adults, and lack the distinctive neck ring. Their bill is more greyish, gradually turning to black as they mature, and their eye color is initially a dull brown, later changing to their iconic black. The tail feathers are also less pointy in their younger years.

Size

9.8 - 10.4 in/3.7 - 7.1 oz

There's more to learn about Ring-Necked Dove

View full details

How to tell the Red-Eyed Dove from the Ring-Necked Dove

Visual differences

The Red-Eyed Dove is larger (11.8-13.4 inches, 5.7-10.9 oz) with a grey head, lavender-grey body, and distinct red eyes, featuring broad black bands across slate-grey wings and a white-tipped tail. In contrast, the Ring-Necked Dove is smaller (9.8-10.4 inches, 3.7-7 oz), with soft grey-beige plumage and a thin, black neck ring, black eyes, black beak, and bright white tail edges. The Red-Eyed Dove appears chunkier, while the Ring-Necked Dove is sleeker with a distinct neck ring.

Key differences and behavior

The Red-Eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) and the Ring-Necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola) exhibit distinct behaviors. The Red-Eyed Dove is larger (12-13 inches, 5.7-10.9 ounces) and prefers solitude or pairs, feeding on seeds and fruits both on the ground and from bird feeders. It inhabits light woodlands and urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. During breeding, it performs elaborate vocalizations and flight displays. Conversely, the smaller Ring-Necked Dove (10-10.4 inches, 3.7-7.1 ounces) is sociable, often seen in flocks, especially near water. It adapts well to various habitats, including urban settings in South Africa. This species engages in vocal coos and aerial displays for mating and has a similar diet, favoring ground-feeding. Both doves build simple twig nests, but the Ring-Necked Dove prefers slightly denser cover for nesting.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Red-Eyed Dove vs Mourning Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Mourning Dove

Gentle ground-feeding visitors with a soothing call.

Learn the difference

Red-Eyed Dove vs Eurasian Collared Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

Learn the difference

Ring-Necked Dove vs Mourning Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Mourning Dove

Gentle ground-feeding visitors with a soothing call.

Learn the difference

Ring-Necked Dove vs Eurasian Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A soft-toned cooer with a distinctive collar.

Learn the difference

Ring-Necked Dove vs African Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

African Collared Dove

Learn the difference

Ring-Necked Dove vs Spotted Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Spotted Dove

Learn the difference

Red-Eyed Dove or Ring-Necked Dove?

Red-Eyed Dove

How to recognise a red-eyed dove?

Habitat

What do red-eyed doves like to eat?

What does a red-eyed dove sound like?

Call

Song

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

How to recognise a ring-necked dove?

Habitat

What do ring-necked doves like to eat?

What does a ring-necked dove sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Ring-Necked Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

There's more to learn about Red-Eyed Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

There's more to learn about Ring-Necked Dove

How to tell the Red-Eyed Dove from the Ring-Necked Dove

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Red-Eyed Dove vs Mourning Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Mourning Dove

Red-Eyed Dove vs Eurasian Collared Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove vs Mourning Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Mourning Dove

Ring-Necked Dove vs Eurasian Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove vs African Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

African Collared Dove

Ring-Necked Dove vs Spotted Dove

Ring-Necked Dove

Spotted Dove

Red-Eyed Dove vs [Select a bird]

Red-Eyed Dove

[Select a bird]

Ring-Necked Dove vs [Select a bird]

Ring-Necked Dove

[Select a bird]