Is a ringneck dove the same as a Barbary dove?

Quick Answer

No, a ringneck dove and a Barbary dove are not the same species. While they look similar, there are some key differences between the two types of doves. Ringneck doves belong to the species Streptopelia risoria, while Barbary doves belong to the species Streptopelia risoria. The most noticeable difference is the coloration around their necks – ringnecks have a distinct black ring around their necks, while Barbary doves do not. There are also slight variations in their body size and coloring. However, both types of doves coo and exhibit similar behaviors. They are often confused with one another by casual bird watchers.

Detailed Comparison

Taxonomy

Ringneck doves and Barbary doves both belong to the same genus Streptopelia, which contains other species of doves as well. However, they are distinct species:

• Ringneck dove: Streptopelia risoria
• Barbary dove: Streptopelia risoria

The ringneck dove is native to sub-Saharan Africa, while the Barbary dove originates from North Africa. When the two types of doves are crossbred, the offspring are fertile. This indicates their close genetic relationship as members of Streptopelia. However, their separate species classification means they have diverged enough over time to no longer interbreed in the wild.

Appearance

Ringneck doves and Barbary doves have the typical appearance of the pigeon and dove family with rounded bodies, small heads, and thick legs. Up close, some subtle physical differences can be observed:

The most notable difference is the black ring on the nape of the neck that gives the ringneck dove its name. Barbary doves lack this ring entirely. Ringneck doves also tend to be slightly smaller than Barbary doves, although their weight range overlaps.

Both species exhibit some subtle variations in plumage color from pale grey to tan. Selective breeding has also produced color variations of both birds including white and patterned morphs.

Behavior

Ringneck doves and Barbary doves exhibit similar behavior patterns:

• Cooing: Both species produce gentle cooing calls to communicate with potential mates and claim territory.
• Diet: They are primarily seedeaters who forage on the ground for grains, seeds, and greens.
• Nesting: Nests are loosely constructed platforms of twigs, stems, and grasses arranged on trees or human structures.
• Care of young: Both species regurgitate “crop milk” to feed their young.
• Social: They can form flocks around food sources and nesting sites.

One minor difference is that Barbary doves are somewhat more likely to nest in colonies, with multiple nests in close proximity, compared to ringneck doves. But both sometimes exhibit semi-colonial nesting.

In captivity as pets or ornamental birds, the two doves behave very similarly. They readily adapt to cages or aviaries and accept humans. With proper training, some will eat out of their owner’s hand or even perch on them. Both produce pleasant cooing noises. Neither species is typically aggressive.

Geographic Range

Ringneck doves are native to sub-Saharan Africa below the Sahara desert. They occupy savanna, scrubland, agricultural areas, and human settlements. Barbary doves come from the northern coastal region of Africa near the Atlas Mountains. Some other key differences in their wild ranges:

• Ringneck doves range across central and south Africa with some populations in west Africa.
• Barbary doves are found in north Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
• Ringnecks occupy diverse habitats including savanna and farms. Barbary doves frequent rocky cliffs and arid landscapes.
• Ringneck doves have been widely introduced to areas like Europe, United States, South America, and Australia.
• Barbary doves have a more limited introduced range in Europe and some Caribbean islands.

Due to imports of ringneck doves from Africa, feral populations are now common across warmer regions of Europe, the Americas, and Asia. They readily adapted to urban and suburban environments in these areas as well. Barbary doves have not established as many feral populations outside their native range.

Similarities Between the Species

Despite their separate species classification and some subtle physical differences, ringneck doves and Barbary doves exhibit substantial similarities:

• Their body shape and proportions are almost identical.
• Plumage coloration pattern is very similar with only slight variations in shade.
• Vocalizations are the same with gentle cooing.
• Both species construct flimsy stick nests and feed regurgitated crop milk to young.
• Foraging, social behavior, and flight patterns are the same.
• Neither species shows significant sexual dimorphism between males and females.
• Both adapted well to cages and interact with humans when domesticated.
• When crossbred, they can produce fertile offspring indicating very close genetics.

Casual observers and birdwatchers often mistake the two species for one another. Only by noting the presence or absence of the neck ring can the two be reliably distinguished visually. Significant study is required to identify the subtle behavioral and geographic range differences between the species.

Reasons for Confusion

There are a few key reasons why ringneck doves and Barbary doves are so often confused:

• Highly similar appearance – Both have the same overall body shape and plumage pattern.
• Overlap in some geographic ranges – Ringneck doves have been introduced to parts of north Africa where Barbary doves are native.
• Hybridization – Crossbreeding can result in offspring with intermediate traits muddling the differences.
• Same genus – Their scientific names Streptopelia risoria and Streptopelia risoria highlight their close relation.
• Similar behavior – Diet, vocalizations, nesting habits, and social patterns are alike.
• Selective breeding – Color varieties of both species further confuse identification.

Only an expert noticing subtle aspects like size, beak shape, or flight patterns could reliably distinguish them in areas where both occur. Extensive genetic analysis would be needed to definitively differentiate doves of unknown origin.

For the average observer, the ring on the neck remains the easiest way to tell a ringneck dove apart from a Barbary dove at a glance. But care should still be taken with juveniles or hybrids lacking neck rings.

Uses as Pets and Symbols

Due to their gentle nature, relative hardiness, and pleasant cooing, both ringneck doves and Barbary doves are popular as pets. They readily adapt to cages or aviaries. With regular cleaning and proper feeding they can live over 10 years in captivity. Their smaller size makes them easier to keep than larger pigeon breeds. Neither species is aggressive.

Some specific uses of each species include:

• Ringneck doves are more common worldwide in the pet trade and as ornamental doves.
• Barbary doves are also kept as pets but are less available commercially than ringnecks.
• Ringneck doves are released at weddings, funerals, and magic acts as a symbol of peace.
• White Barbary doves are sometimes depicted as a symbol of the Holy Spirit in religious artwork.

Both species remain wild at heart though. They are best kept in aviaries that allow flight rather than small cages. Proper diet, housing, and supervision are needed to ensure a long and healthy life in captivity. Neither type of dove adjusts well to being kept alone long-term.

Conservation Status

Both ringneck doves and Barbary doves remain common over most of their native ranges:

• Ringneck doves are listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List due to their large population and range.
• The Barbary dove is also classified as “Least Concern” as a fairly adaptable species not in imminent danger of extinction.

However, in areas where one species has been introduced and competes with the other, conservation issues have arisen:

• Ringneck doves can potentially displace native Barbary doves through resource competition in parts of north Africa.
• Hybridization of the two species where they overlap also poses a risk of diluting the Barbary dove genome over time.
• Habitat loss in rural Africa could potentially impact local populations of both species in the future.

Further population monitoring and control of invasive populations may be needed to ensure the long-term survival of both dove species in sustainable numbers. Neither is at high risk currently though if conservation policies are upheld.

Conclusion

In summary, the ringneck dove and Barbary dove are distinct but closely related species within the genus Streptopelia. Subtle physical and behavioral differences set them apart, with the most easily observed variation being the neck ring present in ringnecks. However, their nearly identical body shape and coloration, shared cooing vocalizations, along with the ability to interbreed have led to frequent confusion by the average observer. Careful attention to details like size and geographic range is needed to reliably distinguish Streptopelia risoria and Streptopelia risoria when encountered. With proper habitat conservation and management of introduced populations, both species should remain common members of the dove family across much of Africa and the Middle East. Their accessibility and gentle nature will likely continue making them popular as pets and symbols around the world.