Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Tourterelle turque
Streptopelia decaocto
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a fairly new bird species that has been recognized as breeding in North America. It is thought that this bird originated in southern Asia, where over time it has expanded into Western Europe and become a common sight throughout all the countries. Its entry into North America is said to be through the Bahamas, where breeding colonies developed and from there into Florida. These doves do not show tendencies to migrate, but instead they expand, branching farther north and west every year. At this time there have been reports of this dove being seen even in the state of Alaska and sighted every year in eastern Canada.
Distinctions: Adults are similar in appearance, larger in size than a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). Soft gray in colour, light brownish tone back, semi-black collar encompassing the nape. Dark primaries, mid areas of upper wings are grey, including the secondaries. Black areas showing at the base of the tail, large white terminal band. Orange legs and feet, dark red eyes, with white orbital ring. Juveniles are similar to the parents except not as well groomed.
Voice: Distinct call, repetitious cooing, sound as such, "cooo cooo cooc".
Nesting: Two to three white eggs, three to six broods per year, depending on food supply and weather conditions. Nest built in trees, composed from branches, sticks and feathers. Male can be seen in breeding season doing specific aerial flights, where after gaining height, with fixed wings, glide back to the ground in a circular flight pattern.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Doves
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13" 33cm | 22" 56cm | 7oz 198.5g | Columbidae | Streptopelia decaocto |
North American Bird Calls
- Click to hear Choice 1
- Click to hear Choice 2
- Click to hear Choice 3
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: In a matter of approx. 30 years of being introduced in 1980's, this dove has been sighted in southern Ontario, west across the southern portions of the prairies, to a few sightings in Alaska, to southern California, east across all the states to the tip of southern Florida, north to the US and Canadian Atlantic border. It is now being seen through all of Mexico and into Central America.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
