The African Collared-Dove is rarely seen as a wild bird in North America, and it is difficult to distinguish from the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Birds that are seen are often escaped pets and are often called Ringed Turtle-Doves, a form of African Collared-Dove that has been domesticated for centuries. These birds frequently escape from captivity, and feral populations have become established in some cities in the southern United States.

• The Ringed Turtle-Dove seems to have had the fear of large, strange, or moving creatures bred out of it more than any other domesticated bird, and individuals are readily made hand-tame. The recognition of predatory birds remains, however, and it shows standard hawk-escaping dove behavior. One common response to a hawk is to "freeze" motionless. This behavior undoubtedly worked well with its normal, darker plumage in its natural habitat, but the pale domesticated form stands out conspicuously against green lawns.

A pallid, medium-sized bird of dry scrub and desert; also agricultural land, towns, and gardens. Native to northern Africa and the southwestern Arabian Peninsiula; established in Puerto Rico and New Zealand, but also found in pockets across North America. Compare with Eurasian Collared-Dove, which also has a black collar on the hindneck; note that Eurasian Collared-Doves are generally darker overall, have more extensive black at the base of the undertail, and the primaries are distinctly darker than the remainder of the wing. In flight, Eurasian Collared-Doves have a tricolored pattern to the upperwing rather than the somewhat uniform appearance of African Collared-Doves. Song is “oo-rrroooo-oooo,” loudest at start, than trailing off.

The African collared dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea ) is a small dove found in the Sahel, northern parts of the Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabia. Although it lives in arid lands, it is found around water sources.

This bird is typically around 26 cm (10 in) in length. Its upper body, from shoulders to tail, is a pale grayish brown, though the wing edge has a bluish tinge. Flight feathers are darker, and nearly black. Head, neck and breast are pinkish shading to white on the chin and belly. There is little sexual dimorphism.

The African collared dove is the species thought to be the wild ancestor of the domestic Barbary dove, though some suggest the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto ) may also have been involved. The African collared dove is able to hybridise with the Barbary dove, and it is thought that the increase in the range of colours of Barbary doves available that occurred in the later 20th century was the result of the importation of African collared doves into the United States for interbreeding.

It is reported to have been introduced into New Zealand, but it is more likely that the birds there are descended from domestic Barbary doves.