Eurasian collared-dove, Collared dove
The Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a dove species native to Europe and Asia. During the 20th century, the Eurasian collared dove spectacularly expanded its range from the Middle East to right across Europe. Accidentally introduced in 1974 into the Bahamas, this pale chunky bird soon spread to the mainland in Florida. A relative of the mourning dove, its name comes from its black half-collar around its neck.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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GranivoreSeed predation, often referred to as granivory, is a type of plant-animal interaction in which granivores (seed predators) feed on the seeds of pla...
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FrugivoreA frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Eurasian collared dove is grey-buff to pinkish-grey overall, a little darker above than below, with a blue-grey underwing patch. The tail feathers are grey-buff above, and dark grey and tipped white below; the outer tail feathers are also tipped whitish above. It has a black half-collar edged with white on its nape. The short legs are red and the bill is black. The iris is red, but from a distance, the eyes appear to be black, as the pupil is relatively large and only a narrow rim of reddish-brown iris can be seen around the black pupil. The eye is surrounded by a small area of bare skin, which is either white or yellow. The two sexes are virtually indistinguishable; juveniles differ in having a poorly developed collar, and a brown iris.
The original range of this bird was warmer temperate regions across southeastern Europe and Japan. However, during the twentieth century, it extended across all of Europe, by 1953 reaching Great Britain, and Ireland soon after. Now it also breeds in Scandinavia. In the 1970s it was introduced into the Bahamas, and to Florida in the 1980s, and has gradually colonized the North American continent. Eurasian collared doves do not migrate and live in towns and cities, in urban gardens and parks. In their original range, they typically occur in semi-desert regions with scattered trees, or mixed thickets and orchards.
These diurnal doves are often to be seen in pairs, perched close to each other on a branch, or foraging on the ground. They are very gregarious, and groups of 10 and up to several hundred may gather at prime locations. Although Eurasian collared doves will feed peacefully in flocks of mixed birds, they may also chase off other species, including Mourning doves, Blue jays, and cardinals. They feed on the ground but may visit bird feeders in winter, especially those with sunflower seeds. Eurasian collared doves utter monotonous calls with three notes, repeated a number of times: “krou-koou-kou”. In flight, they give a rapid and nasal “kwourrr”, especially when landing or excited.
Eurasian collared doves are herbivorous, primarily granivorous and frugivorous. They mainly eat seeds from grasses and cereals, but also eat buds, berries, fruits, insects, and other invertebrates.
Eurasian collared doves are monogamous and form strong pair bonds. They have very beautiful courtship displays, partially aerial, partly in a tree or on the ground. The male takes off abruptly from his perch with noisy wingbeats in order to rise. He then soars down with his tail fanned. When he lands, he makes a nasal “kwourrr”. He also bows towards the female while cooing intensely (this is ignored by her, and she goes away). When she goes away, he pursues her. A pair is often seen perched together on an exposed branch, touching their bills lovingly, like kisses, also on their head and neck. The pair may raise as many as six broods a year. The breeding season lasts almost the whole year in temperate areas. These birds nest in a shrub or tree of any height. Both adults construct the nest. 2 whitish eggs are laid. Incubation is for about 2 weeks, by both parents. Chicks are given “crop milk” which includes regurgitated seeds. They leave the nest at around 15 to 19 days old, are fed for one more week, and then become independent.
Eurasian collared doves are widespread throughout their range. However, being an introduced species, they are not protected from being hunted and they have become popular as game birds in rural southeast US and Texas.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Eurasian collared dove population size is around 60-110 million individuals. In Europe, the breeding population is 7,910,000-14,300,000 breeding pairs (15,800,000-28,600,000 individuals). According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) resource, the total UK breeding population is 990,000 pairs. Overall, currently, Eurasian collared doves are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are increasing.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...