How long do Eurasian doves live?
The oldest Eurasian Collared-Dove on record lived to 17.9 years, a record from a bird in captivity. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild Eurasian doves live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 17.9 years
- Record from
- Bird in captivity
- Age at first breeding
- About 1 year
- Eggs per clutch
- 2 eggs
- Broods per year
- 3–6 per season
- Size
- 11.4–11.8 in, 4.9–5.6 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 5 of 6
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Eurasian Collared-Dove can survive to, not what most do. This one comes from captivity, where there are no predators, storms or food shortages, so wild Eurasian doves rarely come close.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Eurasian doves usually start breeding at about 1 year old. Each season a pair lays 2 eggs and raises 3–6 per season, with eggs taking 14–18 days to hatch.
How Eurasian doves compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other pigeons and doves on this site.
- Rock Pigeon35 years
- Mourning Dove31.3 years
- White-winged Dove25 years
- Band-tailed Pigeon18.5 years
- Inca Dove13.3 years
More about Eurasian doves
Frequently asked
How long do Eurasian doves live?
The longest-lived Eurasian Collared-Dove on record reached 17.9 years, recorded from a bird in captivity. Most wild Eurasian doves live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a Eurasian Collared-Dove when it first breeds?
Usually about 1 year old.
What is the oldest Eurasian Collared-Dove ever recorded?
17.9 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Eurasian Collared-Dove raise in a year?
Pairs lay 2 eggs and raise 3–6 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "medium". genomics.senescence.info