Red-eyed Dove

Afrikaans name: Grootringduif

Red-eyed Dove

Photo © Steven Herbert

Streptopelia semitorquata

The Red-eyed Dove is larger and has more colour than the similar Cape Turtle Dove. In most of the country the Cape Turtle Dove is the most common of these two doves but in some areas, like Durban, the Red-eyed Dove is more common.

They inhabit a wide variety of habitats but aren't found in deserts. They can be quite common in suburban gardens.

The Red-eyed Dovie mainly eats seeds and is a common sight around bird feeders in some areas. They will sometimes eat insects such as flying ants.

Male and female have a similar colouration. Juveniles are duller.

The Red-eyed Dove builds a rather clumsy looking nest out of twigs. The nest is made in a tree and two eggs are the normal clutch.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	314	Streptopelia semitorquata australis
2nd	314	Streptopelia semitorquata
3rd	314	Streptopelia semitorquata
4th	314	Streptopelia semitorquata
5th	352	Streptopelia semitorquata
6th	352	Streptopelia semitorquata
7th	188	Streptopelia semitorquata

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	314	Red-eyed Turtle Dove
2nd	314	Red-eyed Turtle Dove
3rd	314	Red-eyed Turtle Dove
4th	314	Red-eyed Turtle Dove
5th	352	Redeyed Dove
6th	352	Redeyed Dove
7th	188	Red-eyed Dove

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	314	Groot Ringduif
2nd	314	Groot Ringduif
3rd	314	Groot Ringduif
4th	314	Groot Ringduif
5th	352	Grootringduif
6th	352	Grootringduif
7th	188	Grootringduif

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 106

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 52

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 44

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 127

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 42

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 22

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 136

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 161

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 224

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 216

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 302

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 306

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 167

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 217

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 226

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 30

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 86

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 196

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 196

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 150

Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 12

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 60

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 46

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 32

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 180

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 100

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 156

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 14

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 64

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 115

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 37

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 35

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 40

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 114

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 94

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 115

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 133

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 115

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 146

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds