During a burglary in 1974 a few captive Eurasian Collared-Doves escaped from a local breeder in The Bahamas. As a result the breeder chose to release the rest of his stock, approximately 50 birds, and it didn’t take long for those doves and their offspring to traverse the 50 miles from The Bahamas to Florida.
Eurasian Collared-Doves (EUCD’s) are not migratory but they’re strongly dispersive so in the relatively few decades since the 1970’s they’ve spread from Florida across most of the US, Mexico and parts of southern Canada and to this day their population densities continue to increase rapidly.
They’re here folks and they’re established so there’s very little we can do about it.
1/400, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I saw my very first few EUCD’s in late spring of 2009 at historic Camp Floyd in western Utah County and this bird is one of them. I remember being terribly excited about the sighting because spotting them was a “lifer” for me and I was hugely disappointed by the poor quality of my photos (largely because of poor lighting). But EUCD’s quickly became so ubiquitous around here that I’ve rarely (maybe never) photographed them since, even though they’re now so common. Invasive species just don’t float my photographic boat.
Little is known about this dove in its New World range leaving a vast number of questions unanswered, including what their effect might be on native species. As of 2012 relatively few negative impacts have been demonstrated in Florida (where so far at least the species is most prolific) but EUCD’s are known to be aggressive competitors and there’s real concern that as their populations continue to increase they will outcompete native species, especially other Columbids (doves and pigeons).
For what it’s worth I have some anecdotal observations on that very subject.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
As I mentioned earlier I had never seen a EUCD before 2009. I only saw native Mourning Doves (as in the photo above) which were common in many of our habitats. But today I estimate that roughly 75% of the doves I observe here in northern Utah are EUCD’s and that disparity seems to be growing. I’m concerned that they’re already out-competing and displacing Mourning Doves (and possibly other species) and we don’t even “know” it yet.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all birds. If a critter has feathers I’m a huge fan and that includes European Collared-Doves. After all, their presence in North America isn’t their fault.
I’m just not a fan of them being here.
Ron
Notes:
- I have two copies of “The Sibley Guide To Birds”, a 2000 edition and a newer one from 2014. The range map of the European Collared-Dove in the 2000 edition shows them being present only in Florida and small portions of several adjoining states. In the 2014 edition they had already extended their range across the entire US (with the exception of the NE states) and into southern Canada and Mexico. When I think about the possible implications I find comparing those two maps to be visually shocking.
- No one knows why EUCD’s haven’t yet made it to the NE states in any significant numbers.
- I have no idea why “Eurasian Collared-Dove” is usually (though not always) hyphenated. To this non-English major it doesn’t seem to quite fit other naming practices and they’re not consistent about it..
- The song of the EUCD is somewhat similar to that of the Mourning Dove but I find the alarm call of the EUCD (which I hear most often) to be grating and slightly irritating (not that that matters a whit…)
I really loathe EUCD’s. They are bullies. I’ve seen them land on sparrows and mourning doves. They have a very annoying sound too. If I hunted, I would. I’ll bet they are quite tasty in gravy.
😀
I don’t think they have to out number my sweet morning doves .. Fish and Game just needs to get its act together and ban shooting mourning doves . Educate hunters to shoot collared only
Don’t hold your breath, Marina…
Lovely shots and interesting info Ron.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
As I’ve moved across the country, these Eurasian collared doves have become ubiquitous except when I lived in NY–guess they don’t like it there, either. Certainly, the weather is reasonably hideous (but that’s another discussion). That’s a big reason why I keep thinking about flying a Merlin, just to keep them on their toes, but as gorgeous as they are, there’s not a chance I could keep up with them. DRAT!
From this English major (and freelance editor/writer and grammar cop [LOL]), I’d ditch the hyphen. The rule goes that if the two (or three, four, etc.) descriptors cannot stand alone to describe the noun, then a hyphen is necessary. For example, two-year-old child, or yellow-bellied marmot (yes, I’ve been in the background, enjoying your photos despite that my writing is not in a timely manner). I’ve been engaging in probably pointless planting in the desert. I really loved the vultures, but then, I love them here, too.
Laura, I thought that hyphenated name looked a little “off” but I wasn’t sure why. Thanks for the explanation. I’ll probably stick with the hyphen because that’s the convention but…..
So many ‘invasive’ species survive and thrive in areas they never would have reached without our assistance. Sadly they throw the balance out often. And then we climb onto our high horses (where we have no right to be) and revile them. And often kill them.
We really are slow learners on so many fronts.
“We really are slow learners on so many fronts”
Yup…
Being from New England, I can’t give you an honest answer why they haven’t extended their range into the Northeast. However, refer to the House Sparrow and Starling and that will tell you that they will definitely make it here. Be thankful or maybe not, that you aren’t living in Hawaii since there are many non-native birds that have been introduced. Last time we were there Northern Cardinal (North America), Japanese White-eye (Japan), Chestnut Mannikin (India), and Java Sparrow (SE Asia), those are just a few of the many non-natives that were abundant enough for our party to see out and about. Some bird species that man has tried to introduce to an area have had limited to no success after several years. It is unfortunate that little thought is given by those who introduce these birds, to the damage that is done to native species. Non-native species have no natural predators, no natural enemies, but for those that are successful can out compete native species for food and living space.
As interesting and good looking as the Eurasian Collared-Dove is, I am NOT a fan.
Yes, Hawaii is a cauldron of introduced species and other species that have been extirpated because of them.
We have both doves come to the feeder. Seems about an equal number. I inevitably breath a small sigh of relief to see MD’s and cringe a bit when it’s EC-D’s. They are both fine looking birds, although, as your photos nicely show, I think the Mourning Dove is the handsomer of the two.
I think so too, Lyle – though both are attractive.
I share your concerns, Ron. I have no doubt they’re having an impact–though in a place like South Florida it’s very difficult to tell! Here in MT, we don’t see Mourning Doves in town anymore and I suspect it’s because of these guys.
I’m sorry to hear that, Sneed – particularly in my home state of MT.
I’m pretty sure the nesting pair in our liquid amber are Mourning Doves, but I’ll take a closer gander the next time I see them, just in case. I wish I had seen this post yesterday because they were both on the lawn when I drove up, although they weren’t as sticky as usual. (For some reason, they usually don’t mind the Saturn. Maybe they just think it’s a big gold dove — or maybe all the dirt on it provides good camouflage!)
Marty, that half-collar on their neck makes the adults easy to ID but juvies don’t have it so with them it can be slightly more difficult.
The calls I hear most often definitely sound more like Mourning Doves, although I’ve also heard the EUCD 3-syllabled call in the neighborhood.
I still wonder where my scrub jay buddies went to nest this year.
Like Everett Sanbborn above, here in the Phoenix area desert we have Collared Doves, Mourning Doves and even White winged doves. It used to be common to see Inca Doves but I haven’t seen one in a very long time. I haven’t seen any aggression by the Collared Doves to other backyard birds but I have seen the Quail chase them away. You go Quail!
Yup, I’ll cheer on the quail too, Pat. One of my commenters below mentions seeing aggression of EUCO’s regularly directed at Mourning Doves.
Here in western Oregon, their numbers continue to grow dramatically. I can’t document it, but like others, I see Mourning Doves less frequently. These doves are very vocal and often sit in the open, which means that they have become a new food source for Cooper’s Hawks.
“they have become a new food source for Cooper’s Hawks”
We can always look at the bright side! 🙂
I have lived in Washington state and Utah and believe I see doves a lot more often now (here in Utah now) than I recall having seen when I was younger (I have mainly lived in urban type areas). In fact, I have no memory of seeing doves when I was a minor. I have many memories of Robins, Quail, and lots of other birds. I see Dove all the time now. Maybe I just observe better now or maybe I thought they were something else when I was younger. Who knows? Now I am going to start looking for the collar. As always, thanks for the interesting info Ron.
Hmmm, I wonder if some of the “doves” you’ve been seeing are actually EUCD’s instead of Mourning Doves…? My guess would be yes.
Like most of you, I like all birds, but am very saddened when an introduced species displaces a native one, as I fear this happening….we see mourning doves frequently and would hate to see them go…
Exactly, Patty.
I remember before I got into birding and bird photography seeing these birds around various shopping centers. Now that I’m paying more attention, it seems that they haven’t really dispersed from those areas, with Mourning doves still being the more common bird in the woodlands, grasslands, and other “wilder” habitats in Georgia. Perhaps the reason they’re more common (And outcompeting other species) is because they can deal with cities and urban areas better than the native wildlife? Just a thought I had.
-Xavier
Xavier, from my research it seems that EUCD’s do prefer more urban and suburban habitats than Mourning Doves but on the other hand whenever there’s feed available, especially crop grains in agricultural areas, they disperse quickly and heavily to those areas too (often becoming pests).
Hi Ron, I was on a birding trip to Dauphin Island (at the mouth of Mobile Bay, AL) in 1994, and a nearby birder got a call that there were EUCD’s across the mouth of the bay on the Florida side. At the time, this was exciting news! Several of us RAN to catch the foot ferry to see if we could find the birds. It was easy. Why? All we had to do was look for the group of birders oohing and aahing at what was, for many, a lifer. The rest, as you say, is history. As for the hyphenation, I believe you and Mia know Ted Floyd of the American Birding Association. Years ago, he wrote an excellent article on the subject of hyphenated bird names, placement of the hyphen, etc. i usually explain it with the old story of The 3 Umpires (too long for this forum). Fun stuff.😀
Cheers,
Dick
Some interesting history you’ve described, Dick.
Now I’m curious about The 3 Umpires story so I’ll have to see if I can look it up!
Until 3 years ago we use to have numerous mourning doves at our feeder but now we only have what we call ring neck dove (EUCD). The EUCD seem more aggressive at the feeders, wing slapping the mourning doves away. As far as the call you dislike, we have 3, from the rehab, that live in our house. The call can get a bit much. We have used them as foster parents for mourning dove babies. They have been incredible at raising many of the mourning dove orphans we have received.
I’m glad they make good foster parents for Mourning Doves, April. They may soon need all the help they can get.
I love hearing about your rehab experiences with species I mention here on Feathered Photography – a perspective I usually don’t have access to.
Nice photos Ron. We have them here in our backyard from time to time and I see them perched on pine trees around the neighborhoods. It will take them a long time to outnumber Mourning Doves here. Mourning Doves and Qambel Quail are year round and everywhere.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
“Mourning Doves and Qambel Quail are year round and everywhere”
I hope you’ll still be making that same observation a few years from now, Everett.
I saw my first one in 2004 in Greensburg, Kansas right after a tornado nearly wiped that town off the map. I was baffled and had to consult my Sibleys. I rarely see Mourning Doves any more, but the Collared Doves are abundant up here in Montana. And yes, their alarm calls are irritating.
Interesting that you’ve made some anecdotal observations similar to my own, Kevin. And alarming…
How interesting. I’m a resident of Georgia, and do not believe I’ve ever seen one. Perhaps I may have seen one and mistakently thought it was a Mourning Dove. I’ll have to study the markings and keep my eyes peeled. Just the other day, I saw information about how the House Finch was introduced to the Northeast, due to vendors selling them illegally and releasing to avoid prosecution. These birds eat us out of house and home.
“Perhaps I may have seen one and mistakenly thought it was a Mourning Dove”
The two species can be easy to confuse visually unless you’re really looking for one or the other, Becky. But when you hear the alarm call of the EUCD there’s no mistaking it for a Mourning Dove. Believe me…
Climate change, is the only thing I can come up with. They could have been here long before you saw them, we have found tribes that we did not know exist. Not everything stays the same, this earth is evolving.
“Climate change, is the only thing I can come up with”
Perhaps, Steven – but personally I doubt it.
EUCD’s have been strongly dispersive from the get-go (long before documented man-caused climate change) and their early dispersal across Asia, Europe and elsewhere has been relatively well documented given that it began so long ago. But who really knows…
We’ve had them here for several years now – probably longer than I realized as it wasn’t until I was trying to figure out “what was making that sound” up in Highwood that I started paying attention. We’ve had a few in the yard now and then but not staying and still have mourning doves nesting here. Those I do pay attention to as their “voice” gets me gritting my teeth! 😉
I agree about their “voice”, Judy. Their alarm call almost makes me wince…