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African collared dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea)

Escaped or released birds can settle and breed around towns, gardens and rural homes. Established populations may compete or hybridise with similar doves, and could damage crops or transmit disease to other birds.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, bird.

Native to: Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Established in: QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, NT.

Other names: rose-grey dove, Barbary dove, ring-necked dove.

Best time to act: Search and monitor year-round, especially around feeding and nesting sites, and act promptly when birds are confirmed before young disperse.

Identification

  • A medium-sized, slender dove with pale sandy-grey to pinkish plumage.
  • Look for a narrow black collar on the back of the neck, usually edged with pale feathers.
  • It has a long tail, a dark bill and reddish legs.
  • It is often seen on the ground feeding on seeds or perched in gardens and around buildings.
  • Look-alike: The Eurasian collared dove is similar; it is generally larger and greyer, and the two species can hybridise.

Where it lives

In introduced settings it uses suburban gardens, parks, open tree plantings and rural areas close to homes, so check around aviaries and settlements.

Why it matters

  • It may compete for food and nesting sites with other doves.
  • Hybridisation with Eurasian collared doves can make identification and management more difficult.
  • Birds originating from captivity may transmit diseases to other species.
  • It may damage crops and alter vegetation through feeding.

How it spreads

  • It can be introduced deliberately or accidentally through pet keeping, aviaries and collections, then escape or be released.
  • Escaped birds can adapt and establish breeding groups; they are generally sedentary and spread locally from the initial settlement.

Control methods

  • Confirm the identification and check state or territory rules before handling or controlling birds.
  • Secure aviaries and remove access to spilled seed or other food that attracts birds.
  • Where authorised, use humane live trapping with frequent checks and arrange lawful, humane disposal; use shooting only where specifically permitted and appropriate.
  • Monitor the site after control and report suspected established populations to the relevant state or territory biosecurity or wildlife agency.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Do not move live birds, eggs, nest material or potentially contaminated feed between sites.
  • Clean and disinfect cages and equipment, and remove droppings and spilled seed before moving gear or vehicles to another site.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: General biosecurity duty. Not prohibited matter in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Regulated pest animal. It is a regulated pest animal in Victoria. Keeping it is allowed, but releasing it into the wild is prohibited.
  • South Australia: Declared animal. Declared animals have legal restrictions, which can cover keeping, moving, selling and releasing them, and landowners may be required to control them.
  • Western Australia: Not listed. Not found in the Western Australian Organism List. Check with DPIRD before moving or keeping it.
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Australian Capital Territory: Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT), administered by ACT Biosecurity
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources