";s:4:"text";s:3371:" A few Eurasian Collared-Doves were introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s. With a flash of white tail feathers and a flurry of dark-tipped wings, the Eurasian Collared-Dove settles onto phone wires and fence posts to give its rhythmic three-parted coo. It has a fairly large body, small head, and squared-off tail.
The Eurasian collared dove is listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN. Most of their body is a uniform sandy brown color, with a white-fringed, black collar on the back of their neck (All About Birds 2019). Its scientific name decaocto, is the Latin for 18 (deca: 10, octo: 8). Before 1930 it was confined to Turkey and the Balkans in Europe, although it was found as far east as China. Both intentional and accidental introductions in North America have likely hastened the species' spread. Owls routinely prey on Eurasian collared doves. This chunky relative of the Mourning Dove gets its name from the black half-collar at the nape of the neck. Adult Eurasian Collared-Dove, Carmel Valley, CA, 13 July. The mate of the first Eurasian Collared Dove pictured above. During the 20th century, this pale dove expanded its range spectacularly from the Middle East all the way across Europe. Learn more about the Eurasian collared dove. The Eurasian collared dove bred for the first time in Britain in 1955 in Norfolk. They will visit your bird feeder, mostly feeding on the seed that falls to the ground. Eurasian Collared-Dove is not on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List. They are not timid and are tolerant of humans. In spite of the owls which are fearsome predators at nest and the birds of prey which are able to kill the adults, numbers are increasing and this species colonizes more and more regions and countries, thanks to the numerous broods every year. IUCN Conservation Status. When present in large numbers, they can discourage other species from using bird feeders, and may even aggressively defend these food sources, chasing other birds away. They also eat insects as well, but grains are their favorite food. Eurasian Collared-Dove. Eurasian Collared-Dove can be told from other native North American doves by its blackish hind-collar, pale overall coloration, blackish wingtips, and grayish undertail coverts. These birds are considered invasive pests across most of the range where they have been introduced. In California, Eurasian collared-doves may be competitively displacing another non-native dove, the spotted dove (Streptopelia chinensis). Eurasian Collard Doves tend to make their homes in urban and suburban areas but stay away from large cities. Studies on interactions between collared-doves and other species have not yet shown a negative impact on populations of native birds, including Mourning Doves. Predators. This dove is a fairly recent arrival to North America. In the next 20 years, it rapidly expanded its range northwest, quickly colonising most of Europe, and now lives north of the Arctic circle in Norway and as far south as Morocco and the Canary Islands.