Red-eyed Dove

Afrikaans name: Grootringduif

Red-eyed Dove

Photo © Steven Herbert

Streptopelia semitorquata

The Red-eyed Dove is larger and has more colour than the similar Cape Turtle Dove. In most of the country the Cape Turtle Dove is the most common of these two doves but in some areas, like Durban, the Red-eyed Dove is more common.

They inhabit a wide variety of habitats but aren't found in deserts. They can be quite common in suburban gardens.

The Red-eyed Dovie mainly eats seeds and is a common sight around bird feeders in some areas. They will sometimes eat insects such as flying ants.

Male and female have a similar colouration. Juveniles are duller.

The Red-eyed Dove builds a rather clumsy looking nest out of twigs. The nest is made in a tree and two eggs are the normal clutch.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 146

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 115

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 115

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 94

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 40

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 114

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 115

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 37

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 35

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 14

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 100

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 180

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 60

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 32

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 150

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 196

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 196

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 30

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 127

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 217

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 226

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 306

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 302

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 216

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 224

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 136

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 22

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 42

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 106

List of South African Birds