The Feather Files
Name: Eurasian Collared-Dove
Species: Streptopelia decaocto
Native to and Migration: In North America – most of the United States; SW Canada, Mexico; non-migratory.
Date Seen: May 2017; March 2016
Location: North of Calgary, Alberta; north of Fountain Hills, Arizona
Notes: These birds are now native to Europe and Asia, though they were originally from India. They were introduced into North America in 1974, when about 50 of them escaped captivity in Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas – then moved to Florida.
These doves typically breed close to human habitation where food resources are abundant and there are trees for nesting. They can produce three or four broods a year, which helps to explain their successful colonization of such a large part of the world.
They are a valuable food source for owls, eagles, hawks and falcons.
The dove’s monotonous coo – coo – coo can be incredibly annoying because it is repeated over and over and over – for hours. If the bird (or birds) are sitting on the top of the fireplace chimney, the sound is amplified and even more annoying… A flock of doves on the roof of your house is a very messy affair.