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Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Dear all,

Below is a photo taken in 2013-05-06 in MP access road. I finally confirmed that it is an Eurasian Collared Dove.


I think I have the same problem of some of the others that whether it is a Eurasian Collared Dove or a Red Turtle Dove. After some search on the internet, it is quite easy to find the answer that from the eyes we can easily distinguish them. For Red Turtle Dove, the eye is nearly black. For Eurasian Collared Dove, "Bill black ; irides crimson; orbitar skin whitish ; feet dark pink- red." (http://avis.indianbiodiversity.org/columbiformes-columbidae-pigeons-and-doves/eurasian-collared-dove-streptopelia-decaocto.html).

Then I noticed that there are two subspecies of Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto decaocto and Streptopelia decaocto xanthocycla. I try to find the difference between the two and from http://avis.indianbiodiversity.org/indian-pigeons-and-doves-1913/burmese-ring-dove-streptopelia-risoria-xanthocycla.html, it said that Streptopelia decaocto xanthocycla has "remarkable yellow rings of bare skin round its eyes" while the skin round the eye for Streptopelia decaocto decaocto is "colored grayish-white, with no sign of yellow".



The photo taken show yellow rings of bare skin round the eyes, so it is Streptopelia decaocto xanthocycla. I tried to see Eurasian Collared Dove posted in HKBWS and see that some have yellow rings and some has grayish-white rings round the eyes. So both subspecies exist in HK?

I know that the information found in the internet may not be accurate and so I post this articles and hope that some experienced or professional people can clarify it. Thanks in advance.

[ Last edited by kkchang168 at 6/06/2013 00:59 ]

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Thanks for your clarification. Much appreciated.

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