Order: Columbiformes

Family: Columbidae

Genus: Streptopelia

Charles J Sharp [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

SpeciesStreptopelia decaocto

 

Introduction:
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is an introduced species from Eurasia. During the mid-1970s, a pet store in the Bahamas had multiple individuals escape, then decided to release their remaining 50 doves (Henceveld, 1993). By the 1980s, the first individuals were found in North America in Florida (Henceveld, 1993). Since this time the bird has spread across the lower 48 states and made its way to Washington State (Henceveld, 1993). Since this time the bird has become a fairly common, year-round resident (Ebird). They are often found alongside and are mistaken for, the native Mourning Dove. Concerns have arisen regarding the Eurasian-Collared Dove and the impacts they may have on native species in Washington, specifically the previously mentioned Mourning Dove.

Image from xeno-canto.org

 

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is about 12 inches in length and has a wingspan of about 21 inches (Shewey, Blount, & Herlyn, 2017). The dove is similar in plumage between the sexes. The males do not molt their common plumage for breeding plumage but remain the same throughout the year (Shewey, Blount, & Herlyn, 2017). The dove is overall a pink/buff color, with darker remiges and rectrices. The ventral side of the rectrices is a dark grey from the base to the middle of the feathers. Their most defining feature is their black, crescent-shaped collar on the nape of their neck. Some birds have a very defined white eye-ring, in others, it is less noticeable. This species is often confused with the very similar Mourning Dove. The most noticeable difference between the two is the black “collar” of the Eurasian Collared-Dove, along with them being slightly larger, paler in color, and a squared off tail.

Distribution

Habitat

Food Habits

Sounds

Behavior

Population Trends and Conservation Issues

Literature Cited