Dove, Eurasian Collared

Dove Eurasian CollaredLatin 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” and they get their name from the distinctive black collar around their necks. Usually seen in flocks, or in pairs during the breeding season, they will often act aggressively toward other species of birds. These 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! 

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