Hi there
I would love to know how to tell the difference between a male and female Collared Dove
Is there a distinctive difference with their plumage, or are there other more subtle ways of telling them apart from one another.
Funnily the two I have are a slight differnet coloration form each other {or is it my eyes deceiving me}
One of the pair has a lot of white feathers appearing in its tail. The Doves tail must be getting a battering at the moment. So it makes me think that the bird could be the female for that reason alone.
Any other theories anyone?
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Nicki C said: I would love to know how to tell the difference between a male and female Collared Dove
Hi Kathy, I have started a thread on ageing and sexing common garden birds.
I have included a link for Collared Doves.( I'm sure you have commented on the page? )
Here is the link, it will give you an idea on how to try and seperate them!
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/262_CollaredDoveSdecaocto.pdf
Sparrow has given a good account on the differences!
Male with grey pinkish crown and nape; white tips (if any) on black feathers in collar.
Female with grey brown crown and nape; drab grey tips (if any) on black feathers in collar.
Juveniles cannot be sexed.
CAUTION: many birds cannot be sexed using plumage characters due to subjective judgement of colours.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Sorry, thought it may help.
Brenda - it did help, if only to confirm I can't tell the difference!!!
Paul - what a splendid photo - are they about to mate?
I watched my pair mating back in February. They were in the apple tree next door, but it was before my new camera, and anyway I wasn't sure I should be intruding!!!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Thank you everyone for keeping me straight.
Brenda thank you for pointing out Buzzards thread and Buzzard for helping me too! {big smile}
Will have a good read through the Collared Dove information
Unknown said: Sorry, thought it may help.
Hi Paul
Beautiful picture of the Doves.
Quite a romantic study of the two birds.
Susan H said: Paul - what a splendid photo - are they about to mate?
Thank you Sparrow and Kathy :o)
Actually the one was about to land really close to the other one on top of the feeding hook pole. Like most Collared Doves I expect, they tend to sit really close together.
Hi,
according to Gibbs, Barnes & Cox males have deeper lilac on the breast.
S
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