Attracting Collared Doves

These aren't just mini-wood pigeons;  they are sweet little doves in shades of grey and pink with a distinctive collar - a black line around the back of the neck.  It's odd to think that these now very common birds are a pretty recent introduction to our British bird list, breeding for the first time in Norfolk in 1955 when Bill Oddie was a boy!  They spread across Europe to arrive here in the early 1950s are now a regular sight in two thirds of our gardens.  These clever little doves have exploited our generosity – they love gardens and the food we put out for them, plus they eat grain spilled around farms and fields.  Also they can breed from February to October so it's no wonder there are plenty of them around in gardens, parks and our countryside.

What do Collared Doves eat?

Like all Pigeons and Doves, these little beauties eat seed, seeds, and more seeds - with a few berries and insects thrown in and then a few more seeds for good measure. Oh and the odd bit of bread.

Top 3 foods for Collared Doves:

• No Wheat Wonder        5 Star 
• Blackbird Bonus            4 Star
• Eat-It-All                         3 Star