The African Collared Dove can easily be confused with the European Collared Dove, especially in those places where both species occur, like Puerto Rico, where both were introduced.
However, the African Collared Dove is distinctly smaller (length 26 cm vs 32 cm), shorter-tailed and largely pale sandy brown above, the head and underparts are delicate pinkish grey and the belly and undertail-coverts are white.
Eurasian Collared Doves have gray undertail coverts and dark wingtips that contrast strongly with the rest of the wing, whereas African Collared Doves have paler wingtips.

Manati Nature Reserve, Manati, Puerto Rico, 15 January 2026