The African Collared Dove is a ground-foraging species of pigeon. They tend to eat seeds, but will opportunistically eat other foods when they are available.

This species may be the wild ancestor of the domesticated Barbary Dove, but there may have been some hybridization with the Eurasian Collared Dove in the domestication process.

The African Collared Dove shares a few traits with other pigeon and dove species.  For example, they produce "milk" for their chicks, a substance rich in protein and fat that is secreted by their throat. They are also able to drink while facing downward, a trait that very few other types of birds can match.

African Collared Doves are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. They build flimsy, platform-like nests using twigs, grass, and other plant materials. The female typically lays two creamy-white eggs, and both parents share the incubation duties.

The species is considered "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List and its population is suspected to be stable. They have been introduced to several other parts of the world and established self-sustaining populations. They are also adaptable to human-made environments, so they will likely continue to thrive as human land use increases.