Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

The Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is one of our most popular and widespread species from the pigeon family, which hikers often encounter in mountain villages and near human settlements below the forest line. Its appearance is elegant and unobtrusive, with feathers in soft grayish and sandy shades that sometimes shimmer faintly pink in the sun. The most recognizable feature of the adult bird is the narrow black band on the back of the neck, resembling a collar, by which it can reliably be distinguished from other species. It grows to a length of 33 centimeters and is known for its characteristic and tireless cooing, which with three syllables often fills the silence of summer afternoons in the mountains.
In the mountainous world, it is most often observed resting in pairs on electrical wires or building roofs, from where it vigilantly watches the surroundings. It feeds mainly on seeds, grains, and plant fruits, and due to its adaptability, it profitably exploits the proximity of farms, where it always finds a suitable food source. The Eurasian Collared Dove is an extremely sociable bird that nests in tree crowns or on buildings, where it builds a simple nest from thin twigs. Although it seems self-evident to us, with its calmness and recognizable song, it is an indispensable part of the rural cultural landscape that reminds us on every trip into nature of the harmony of coexistence between humans and birds.