Formerly called "Red-eyed Turtle Dove," this is the largest of the Streptopelia turtle-doves.
It is widespread and has been expanding its range in recent decades. It is a fairly recent immigrant to the Southwestern
Cape region, apparently benefiting from habitat created by human settlement. No subspecies are currently recognized.
In this region, there are three species of doves which closely resemble each other but differ in the color of their
eyes. All three can be common to abundant.
- Ring-necked Dove (dark eyes and gray orbital)
- Mourning Collared-Dove (yellow eyes with red orbital)
- Red-eyed Dove (red eyes and red-maroon orbital skin)
There are subtle differences in overall color (more pinkish) and the pattern of the tip of the tail (wide gray band lacking white). Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Baptista, L.F., Trail, P.W., Horblit, H.M. & Boesman, P. (2018). Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54158 on 24 June 2018).
Sinclair, I.; Hockey, P.A.R., Arlott, N. (2005). The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.