Eurasian Collared Dove

You’ve probably seen the Eurasian Collared Dove before. Unfortunately, they are an invasive species.

Latin name: Streptopelia decaocto

Length, wingspan: 13″, 22″

What they eat: Primarily seeds, but also berries and foliage

Habitat: Generally found around bird feeding stations and grain silos

Where they nest: Typically in trees, sometimes on buildings

My observation: The Eurasian Collared Dove is much chunkier and stouter than the Mourning Dove. It was introduced from Europe in the 1970s and has become an invasive species. Birders usually refer to them as “ECD’s.” They get their name from the distinctive black collar around their necks. These doves are usually seen in flocks or in pairs during the breeding season. They will often act aggressively toward other species of birds. The doves typically eat on the ground. They have a cooing call and also a rather annoying, shrill call that always startles me out of my garden-induced reveries! 

If you have bird feeders, they are very likely to visit your garden.

For more details about the Eurasian Collared Dove, go to Cornell’s All About Birds website.

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