Mourning collared dove

The mourning collared dove or African mourning dove (Streptopelia decipiens) is a dove which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the North American mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). This species is common or abundant near water. They often mingle peacefully with other doves.

The Mourning Collared Dove is a medium sized, stocky pigeon, up to 32 cm in length. It is often black with pale brown wings, which are broad and pointed. The head is grey and the underside is pink, giving a pale grey shading on the belly. There is a black hind neck patch edged with white. The legs and a patch of bare skin around the eye are red.

When flying, it shows dark colored flight feathers and extensive white in the tail, the latter being a distinction from the similar but larger red-eyed dove.

Sexes are similar, but immatures are duller than adults, and have scalloping on the body feathers.