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| Eurasian Collared-Doves - by R. Matlack |
I had previously blogged about Eurasion Collared-Dove expansion in North America, but recent IBLE chatter got me wondering about how they have expanded across Idaho. Here is an animated map that I made using eBird reported sightings.
Some of this data may be slightly skewed due to increased numbers of eBird users in the last few years, but based on anecdotal evidence, the expansion of Eurasian-collared Doves pretty well matches what the animated maps are showing us.
Many birders, and even old-time farmers, express hatred and frustration at these new birds to our area. I'm not sure why they hate them? From what I can tell they aren't displacing any other species of birds, as do European Starlings. Perhaps they can be a nuisance like Rock Pigeons, but they seem to act more like Mourning Doves. If the reason for disliking them is that 'they shouldn't be here', well, neither should all the really cool vagrants that we get so excited about. Looks like we probably have more Eurasian Collared-Doves and more European Starlings than Europe does. Maybe its time to drop the geography from their names on the official bird lists in North America.
For what its worth...I think Collared-Doves are neat looking. They are larger than Mourning Doves, lighter in color. They also have the big white tail feathers which are fan-shaped in flight rather than wedge shaped. That black partial collar also distinguishes them from other dove species.
Anyway...we still may have a few more months or years before they are present across the whole Treasure Valley. I expect that they'll be at Avimor by next Spring.
nice post - we have one as a pet - given to us by museum that rescues them and needed help with housing them.
ReplyDeleteWow, very dramatic presentation. I have yet to see one in my neighborhood/hulls gulch, but it is only time. Also, in all my time out in the mountains this summer, I didn't see in more than 5 miles form town.
ReplyDeleteWe were very excited when we saw them in Idaho Falls a couple years ago. Only to find out they're not supposed to be there. But I think they are neat, I love their collar. We have quite a few of them here in Star Valley, and it reminds me of 'home'. As always, awesome pictures!
ReplyDeleteCollared Doves have a very large population here in the UK after colonising abot 50 years ago, but they are not considered a pest species. If they are as successful in the US their numbers will expand quickly.
ReplyDeleteWe live just south of Greenleaf & a pair showed up here today. I think they're beautiful & welcome them!
ReplyDeleteThere are several pairs that visit my feeders here in Nampa. A novice bird watcher, I thought they were a type of mourning dove at first until I found a picture of them and this blog.
ReplyDeleteI know this won't be popular but I have to say it. The term "invasive species" is used with animals, birds, trees, plants, weeds, fish, etc. The term seems to imply that at some point in time everything that was "here", where ever "here" is, is "okay", but anyting coming into the area later, is invasive. I just don't understand the thinking. It seems that every species and ecosystem is evolutionary. Even the plates on the earth move and change the ecosystems ever so slightly as the plates move. We may not like a "zebra mussel" or asian carp moving into our waters, and I'm not against keeping them out of some water, but to say they, or asian doves, are not "supposed to be there" or are invasive, just doesn't compute with me. I'm looking at Asian doves out my window right now and appreciate their beauty. Natural migration, or invasion? I just don't know.
ReplyDeleteJust spotted a pair here, just north of Coeur d'Alene. They are beautiful and I'm always pleased to sight a new bird. Invasive, schminvasive...
ReplyDeleteWell, just spotted my first one here in Boise today. Think they are quite a fine looking bird, and seem to play well with others.
ReplyDeleteWe a ton of them out in Parma you can see them about every where. They have the voice you expect to here but also make a crow like sound. They come to our feeders regularly. They bigger hope they eat as good as mourning doves. I'll find out this fall. They live in the same place year round they don't seem to migrate.
ReplyDeleteWe have been seeing these over the past few weeks up here in boise county, 9 miles south of Idaho city. Did not know what they were....we knew they were a type of dove. Thanks for the info !
ReplyDeleteWe just saw these birds last week up here on Boise County....9 miles south of Idaho City. I did not now what type of dove they were. Thanks for all the info!
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