Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Photo by pnicholls

Description:

Native to southeastern Europe and Asia, this dove was introduced into the U.S. in the Bahamas in 1974, soon made its way to Florida, and has been rapidly spreading across North America ever since. Published disribution maps can be considered obsolete very quickly; the bird is now established well into the far western states, British Columbia, and the Great Lakes. There is some speculation that it is occupying an ecological niche left vacant with the extinction of the passenger pigeon.

Identification:

Pale gray / light brown large dove (32cm length, 47cm wingspan) with distinctive black collar around the back of the neck only - does not extend to the chin. The collar is often outlined with a thin white ring on both sides. Dark red eye, gray bill, dark primaries, long-tail tipped in white.

Similar in morph to mourning dove, but lighter in color, and tail is squared off rather than pointed.

Very similar to the Ringed Turtle Dove, but that introduced species is rare and local, only established breeding colonies in some southern cities, notably in California.

Distribution:

Europe, Jan, North America, expanding rapidly to the west and north.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia-> Phylum: Chordata-> Class: Aves -> Order: Columbiformes -> Family: Columbidae -> Genus: Streptopelia -> Species: S. decaocto

Habitat:

Mostly suburban environments with light vegetation.

Behaviour:

Forages on the ground, but flies to perches in trees frequently. Skilled and fast flyer.

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Streptopelia decaocto (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

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