Eurasian Collared Dove

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is larger than the Ringed Turtle-Dove and has dark gray, rather than white undertail coverts. The black marking at the base of the underside of the tail extends down the outer tail feathers to form a "W" shape, as opposed to the simple black band on the Ringed Turtle-Dove. Length: 29-30 cm.; weight: 140-180 g. Audio (M. Oberle). The Eurasian Collared-Dove was introduced to the Bahamas from Europe, and has spread rapidly into southeastern North America, Cuba, Montserrat, Martinique, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis over the last two decades. It reached Puerto Rico in the late 20th Century, and has been documented on Breeding Bird Surveys in the southwest. Breeding has been confirmed in the El Combate area of Cabo Rojo. Based on past experience elsewhere, this species may well expand rapidly elsewhere on Puerto Rico.

Photo: G. Beaton

Photo: G. Beaton

References

Johnson, K. P., S. de Kort, K. Dinwoodey, A. C. Mateman, C. ten Cate, C. M. Lessells, and D. H. Clayton. 2001. A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera Streptopelia and Columba. Auk. 118(4):874-887.

Kaufman, K. 1999. New bird on the block. Audubon 101(5):124-127.

Romagosa, C. M. and T. McEneaney. 1999. Eurasian Collared-Dove in North America and the Caribbean. North American Birds 53:348-353.

Romagosa, C. M. 2002. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). No. 630 in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Slabbekoorn, H. and C. ten Kate. 1999. Collared Dove responses to playback: slaves to the rhythm. Ethology 105:377-392.

Smith, P.W. 1987. The Eurasian Collared-Dove arrives in the Americas. Am. Birds 41:1370-1379.

Eurasian Collared-Dove, Spanish text

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