The ring-necked dove, or Cape turtle dove, is native to East and southern Africa and inhabits a wide range of habitats including semi-desert scrub, Boscia and Acacia savannah, woodlands, farmlands, plantations and alien acacia thickets. Ring-necked doves are fairly sedentary birds, with seasonal movements noted in the more tropical regions of their native range. Ring-necked doves feed mainly on seeds, broken fruit and berries, and insects on occasion.

Doves are monogamous territorial nesters. Females build their nests 2 to 10 meters above the ground, after which they lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Both the male and female will incubate the eggs for a period of two weeks, after which the chicks will hatch. Chicks will fledge after a period of about 16 days. A pair of doves will raise up to 5 broods in a single breeding season.

Ring-necked doves are usually found alone, or in pairs on occasion. They will form larger flocks for roosting and around both food and water sources.

Fun Facts

Lifespan for ring-necked doves in the wild is approximately 10 years, but under human care they can live up to 15 years.