About Streptopelia tranquebarica (Hermann, 1804)
The red collared dove, scientifically named Streptopelia tranquebarica (Hermann, 1804), is a relatively small dove species. It measures 20.5–23 cm (8.1–9.1 in) in length, and weighs around 104 g (3.7 oz). Males of this species have a bluish head, a light red-brown body, and a black ring around the neck. Females have a similar overall pattern to males, but are pinkish across their entire body. This is an Oriental dove species, primarily found in plains habitats. Its range extends to Taiwan and the Philippines; it is uncommon on the Indonesian archipelago, and avoids rocky foothills there. It is a summer migrant that travels to the broader cultivated valleys of Afghania to breed. It is the most common dove throughout Punjab. It is more or less resident across India, and only visits the country as a summer migrant in some areas. This dove prefers better-wooded areas, such as canal or roadside tree plantations, and avoids large, extensive desert regions. When red collared doves first arrive in an area, they often gather in small flocks. They soon split apart to form pairs and begin breeding.
