Fun Ringneck Dove Facts For Kids

Ringneck doves, with the scientific name Streptopelia capicola, are also known by the names 'half collared doves' or 'cape turtle doves'. These birds are found in abundance throughout the African continent but can also be seen all over the world. The ringneck dove has been existing on the earth's biome for thousands of years and these birds are believed to be descendants of the African collared dove or the African ring dove.

Around the 16th century, these birds were introduced to Europe for the first time from Sudan. They can fly great distances covering large areas and as a result, their distribution has become very widespread. They adapt well in houses located in high-temperature regions and, if the temperature drops below freezing, they must be confined in a well-heated and enclosed place. If they are restricted as caged pets in a house, their cage should contain three types of perches. The different perches in a ringneck dove cage can be made of various materials like wood, concrete, or rope, and the perches should be of different sizes.

To know more about this bird in the wild or as a pet, here is some valuable information about ringneck doves. You can also check out these articles on the snowy egret and the American golden plover too.

What type of animal is a ringneck dove?

The ringneck dove (Streptopelia capicola) is a type of domesticated bird.

What class of animal does a ringneck dove belong to?

The ringneck dove belongs to the class Aves, the common class of all birds.

How many ringneck doves are there in the world?

The exact population of ringneck doves is not known by scientists. However, the IUCN has listed them as birds of Least Concern. They face no threats of extinction as of now and are currently following a stable trend of population.

Where does a ringneck dove live?

Ringneck doves are found flying throughout southern and eastern Africa. They are also found in Europe, Asia, and in suburbs in the United States like Georgia and Florida, except for the northeastern part of the country. Ringneck doves entered Britain from Turkey or the Balkans and in two decades, the range of these birds expanded to the east as far as China. The nesting range of these doves in Europe extends from Morocco and the Canary Islands in the south to regions of coldest temperatures like the northern parts of the Arctic Circle in Norway. These doves have also nested in many parts of North America after a few dozen birds escaped from the Bahamas. They can also be seen as pet birds all over the world.

What is a ringneck dove's habitat?

Ringneck doves can adapt very well to many types of habitats in the wild. The range of its habitat varies from semi-desert scrublands to dense forests and these birds are also found in savannahs, grasslands, different types of woodlands, farmlands, and open plantations. The places where these ringneck doves can live are highly dependent on the presence of water. For this reason, they are absent from true desert regions and the cold Arctic Circle. The bird populates areas where plantations are common and builds nests in trees according to the availability of food like grains and seeds. These birds also show nomadic seasonal movements by traveling to tropical regions or arid lands whenever necessary.

Who do ringneck doves live with?

Ringneck birds are solitary. They either stay alone or are sometimes found in pairs. They are monogamous and mate with a single partner for their whole lives. In the wild, sometimes hundreds of doves flock together around a water or food source. In winter, flocks of doves roost together in large trees.  

How long does a ringneck dove live?

The average ringneck dove's lifespan lasts for 10 years. However, in captivity, if a ringneck dove pet is fed well, it can live for a range of 10-15 years.

How do they reproduce?

The ring-necked dove reproduction method includes the selection of a breeding nest at first. The bird pairs select their nesting site together. Old nests of other birds often act as a good mating place for these doves and the female bird repairs the nest with twigs and branches that are offered to her by the male bird. During a display flight, the male descends steeply in a spiral manner with its tail and wing feathers spread out. After breeding, the female dove lays between two and four eggs, and both of the parents participate in incubating the ringneck dove eggs. The baby birds feed on the food that is provided by their parents and start to fly after 16 days. Domesticated ringneck doves can reproduce comfortably in small cages too. These birds reach sexual maturity at around six to seven months of age. The ringneck dove does not have any particular breeding season, they can breed at any time of the year.      

What is their conservation status?

Ringneck doves are listed as birds of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. They are not very rare and their population has spread throughout the world.

What do ringneck doves look like?

Ringneck doves are gentle-looking birds with round and plump bodies, small heads, narrow necks, and long tails. The bird has a pair of broad and round wings, and its flat tail has a four-sided structural ending. The upper portion of its body is covered with feathers of dull gray and brown tones. The chest and belly parts are pale white, with a light pinkish tinge if carefully examined. The tail is covered with slate gray feathers and is the darkest portion of the dove's body. The edge of the tail is bordered with white-colored feathers. The bird gets its name from the crescent-shaped marking around its neck. This distinct black ring on the neck is in contrast to the soft color of its body. This black half-ring looks like a collar on the neck of the bird and therefore, they are also called collared doves. The birds' feet are pinkish-red in color and both their beak and their eyes are brown. Males grow comparatively larger than females, so their size is the best way to try and tell males and females apart.

How cute are they?

The ringneck dove has a cute and pudgy stature and their faces are also very gentle. All these features make ringneck doves look very gracious and their small size makes them a really cute bird, especially when it comes to their babies!

How do they communicate?

Ringneck dove cooing acts as the main source of communication between the birds. The intensities of their cooing vary according to the situation they are in. Apart from this well-known ringneck dove call, the bird also sometimes communicates by flapping their tails and wings.

How big is a ringneck dove?

This ring-necked bird has a small and slender body. The length of the dove ranges between 9.8–10.4 in (25–26.5 cm) and can reach the highest length of 12 in (30.5 cm). This bird is larger than mourning doves.

How fast can a ringneck dove fly?

Ringneck doves are active fliers. Fluttering their wings and flying a significant distance helps them to maintain their health. They are peaceful and do not tend to fly too fast, but the exact speed of the bird is unknown.

How much does a ringneck dove weigh?

These birds are very lightweight and their weight ranges between 3.2–6.6 oz (92–188 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female doves are respectively known as a 'cock' and a 'hen'.

What would you call a baby ringneck dove?

The babies of a ringneck dove are called 'chicks' or 'nestlings'. Have you ever been lucky enough to see a baby ringneck dove? They are adorable!

What do they eat?

The diet of a ringneck dove is mainly omnivorous, feeding on both plants as well as insects. Seeds are a favorite ringneck dove food and they base their diet around cereal grains, grass seed, milkweed, pines, and acacia. Apart from that, they also feed on insects like weevils, earthworms, and termites. Even as household pets, they prefer to stick to the original diet of their natural habitat. During breeding, the bird's diet should include calcium-rich food for successful fertilization to occur.

Are they friendly?

Doves are, in general, friendly birds. They are peaceful and generally do not bite. The ringneck dove can easily be tamed and does not require much effort to care for. These birds can stay alone but are happiest and most joyous when kept in pairs.

Would they make a good pet?

They make great pets, not only because of their gentle nature but also because they are extremely adaptable and are therefore a great bird pet choice for beginners. They are not fussy about their nesting sites or their feeding habits. However, confining these birds in a cage for long periods might cause behavior problems as they grow up.

Did you know...

Ringneck doves are the most common dove birds that are found as pets. These doves can settle in almost any environment, therefore, they make a popular choice as a pet.

Rules vary from state to state, but ringneck doves are not protected in many American states (including Utah).

Do ringneck doves mate for life?

Yes, ringneck doves are monogamous and each bird mates with a single partner for their whole life.

How many varieties of ringneck dove are there?

Ringneck doves have six subspecies. There is not one most significant difference, except for their places of origin. Sometimes, the ringneck dove colors might also vary from paler to darker tones between the subspecies. The different subspecies of ringneck doves are Capicola, Onguati, Abunda, Somalica, Damarensis, and Tropica. These dove species are distinguished mainly by their different places of origin. For example, the subspecies, Capicola, originated in the southwestern part of South Africa, and Onguati is found in Angola and Namibia. Similarly, subspecies like Abunda, Somalica, Damarensis, and Tropica, are found in the central portion of South Africa, Tanzania, and Somalia, tropical woodland habitats of South Africa to South Sudan, and the southern part of Africa respectively.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the goose or the palm warbler.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Ringneck Dove coloring pages.