Editorial photo #9999294 Human Interest

Animal India

The Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a medium-sized dove (32 cm) species native to Europe and Asia; it was introduced to Japan, North America and islands in the Caribbean. It is grey-buff to pinkish-grey overall, a little darker above than below, with a blue-grey underwing patch. It has a black half-collar edged with white on its nape from which it gets its name. The Eurasian collared dove is not migratory, but is strongly dispersive. Over the last century, it has been one of the great colonizers of the bird world, traveling far beyond its native range to colonize colder countries, becoming a permanent resident in several of them. A Eurasian collared dove is perched on a custard apple (Annona reticulata) tree in a forest in Tehatta, West Bengal, India 02/05/2023. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)