collared dove: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumStandard/Formal (but also understood in everyday conversation)
Quick answer
What does “collared dove” mean?
A medium-sized, pale grey dove with a distinctive black half-collar on the back of its neck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, pale grey dove with a distinctive black half-collar on the back of its neck.
A bird species (Streptopelia decaocto) known for its repetitive, three-part cooing call and its successful expansion across Europe and other continents from its original Asian range.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The name and species are the same in both varieties. The bird is common and widely recognized in the UK but less widespread and familiar in most parts of the US.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes suburban gardens, parks, and its distinctive call. In the US, it carries more of an 'exotic' or 'introduced species' connotation in regions where it is present.
Frequency
Far more frequent in UK English due to the bird's abundance. In American English, it is a specialist or birdwatcher's term in many areas, except where the species has established populations (e.g., parts of Florida, the Southwest).
Grammar
How to Use “collared dove” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] collared dove [VERBed] on the [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collared dove” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- We have a collared dove nest in our conifer.
American English
- The collared dove population in this county is growing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and zoology texts discussing species distribution, invasive species, or avian behaviour.
Everyday
Used to identify the bird in gardens, parks, or while birdwatching.
Technical
The standard common name for the species Streptopelia decaocto in field guides and scientific communication.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collared dove”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collared dove”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collared dove”
- Misspelling as 'colared dove' or 'collard dove'.
- Confusing it with the similar but larger and rarer 'ring-necked dove' or other Streptopelia species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. The collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is larger, paler, and has a simpler call than the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur).
They are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds and grains, often foraging on the ground beneath bird feeders or in farmyards.
Their native range was in Asia, from Turkey to China. They expanded dramatically westward across Europe in the mid-20th century.
In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to keep wild native birds like collared doves as pets without a specific license. They are wild animals.
A medium-sized, pale grey dove with a distinctive black half-collar on the back of its neck.
Collared dove is usually standard/formal (but also understood in everyday conversation) in register.
Collared dove: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒləd dʌv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːlɚd doʊv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a well-dressed dove wearing a little black collar for a formal dinner.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOMESTICITY/SUBURBIA (The bird is often metaphorically linked to peaceful, domestic settings due to its presence in gardens.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the most distinctive visual feature of a collared dove?