Sweden · Resident all year

Collared Doves in Sweden

When the Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is present in Sweden, when it nests, and which native Sweden plants supply the food it depends on.

Status in Sweden
Resident all year
Nesting season
April–September
Size
32 cm, 200 g
Nest box
Does not use enclosed boxes

When to expect collared doves in Sweden

The Collared Dove lives in Sweden all year round. Long, cold winters with snow; feeders keep tits, Nuthatches and finches going for months.

Temperate in the south, boreal across most of the country and subarctic in the far north.

Nesting in Sweden

In Sweden the Collared Dove usually nests April–September. Nest site: thin twig platform. Clutches are 2 eggs, incubated for 14–18 days; chicks fledge after 15–19 days, and pairs raise Up to 6 per year.

  • The Collared Dove does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
  • Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Native Sweden plants for collared doves

Of the native plants we track for Sweden, these 2 provide food the Collared Dove uses:

Silver birch
Betula pendula · Tree

Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.

Alder
Alnus glutinosa · Tree

Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.

Feeding in the garden

Seeds and grain.

  • Best foods: Seed mix.
  • Feeders: Ground tray, Open table.
  • Colonised Britain only in 1955 and now nests in most towns.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked

Are collared doves in Sweden all year?

Yes — the Collared Dove is resident in Sweden all year.

When do collared doves nest in Sweden?

Typically April–September. Clutches are 2 eggs, incubated for 14–18 days, with Up to 6 per year.

Which native plants help collared doves in Sweden?

Silver birch, Alder are native to Sweden and provide food or cover the Collared Dove uses.

Collared Doves in other countries

Other garden birds in Sweden

Sources

  1. Collared Dove — RSPB bird guide
  2. Collared Dove — BTO BirdFacts
  3. Svensk fågelatlas — BirdLife Sverige

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.