The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a medium-sized dove species native to Europe and Asia. It gets its name from the black half-collar marking on the nape of its neck. The Eurasian Collared-Dove has expanded its range dramatically over the past century, spreading across Europe and being introduced to North America and the Caribbean. This article will examine the origins and spread of the Eurasian Collared-Dove, looking at where this species came from and how it colonized new regions.
Native Range and Habitat
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of Europe and Asia. Its original range stretched from Bulgaria and Turkey in southeastern Europe across the Middle East to China and Japan. It thrives in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including farmland, orchards, scrub forest, and urban and suburban areas. The Eurasian Collared-Dove roosts on trees and nests in tree branches or shrubs. It mainly feeds on seeds and grain on the ground.
The native habitat of the Eurasian Collared-Dove provided an abundance of food sources, nesting sites, and few natural predators. These optimal conditions allowed the species to thrive in its original range. The birds were able to exploit human-altered environments and took readily to nesting close to human settlements. Their flexibility in nesting and feeding habits facilitated the Eurasian Collared-Dove’s spread outside its native range.
Range Expansion in Europe
The first major expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove’s range occurred in Europe starting in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, the species began spreading rapidly northwest across Europe, colonizing new areas in Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, and other countries. By the 1950s, the Eurasian Collared-Dove had expanded its range across much of Western Europe, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Great Britain.
Several factors likely contributed to this rapid northwest expansion across Europe:
Climate change
The warming climate in the 20th century provided suitable habitat for the Eurasian Collared-Dove to spread into new regions further northwest. The dove was able to thrive as temperatures increased in areas it had not previously inhabited.
Habitat availability
Human land use changes, such as agriculture and development, created ideal open and semi-open habitats for the Collared-Dove to colonize. The conversion of forests to farmland and growth of suburbs provided abundant habitat.
Abundant food sources
Spilled grain in agricultural areas and bird seed provided plentiful food for Collared-Doves to exploit. These resources allowed the species to easily establish itself in new locations.
Lack of competition
No ecologically similar species occupied the niche filled by the Collared-Dove in these newly colonized areas. This reduced competition allowed the species to flourish.
Reduced hunting
Hunting pressure on Collared-Doves decreased as they spread into areas with stricter hunting regulations. This improved survival and productivity.
By the late 1950s, the Collared-Dove had become well-established across most of Western Europe. Its population grew exponentially during this range expansion. From 1920 to 1950, the population in Europe increased from 82,200 to over 9 million pairs.
Introduction to the Americas
Not long after colonizing Europe, the Eurasian Collared-Dove spread outside its native range to entirely new continents. Successful introductions brought the species to the Americas beginning in the 1970s.
Bahamas
The Eurasian Collared-Dove was first introduced to the New World in 1974, when a pet bird dealer accidentally imported breeding pairs to the Bahamas. A viable population soon became established.
Florida
Within just a few years, Eurasian Collared-Doves dispersed from the Bahamas to Florida. About 50 doves were initially introduced to Florida around 1982 after escaping from pet bird breeders.
Rapid Spread Across North America
From this small founding population, the Eurasian Collared-Dove rapidly expanded its range across North America:
- By 1989 – expanded across Florida and into Georgia
- By 1995 – present across the southeast U.S. from Florida to Texas
- By 2000 – populations throughout the eastern U.S. up to Michigan and New York
- By 2010 – breeding across southern Canada and throughout the western U.S.
The species continues to expand its range annually and its North American population now likely exceeds 5 million.
Caribbean and Central America
In addition to thriving in North America, the Collared-Dove also spread throughout the Caribbean and populated areas of Mexico and Central America. Populations are now resident across islands like Barbados, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Range expansion continues through Mexico and into South America.
Reasons for Rapid Colonization in the Americas
Several key factors allowed Eurasian Collared-Doves to spread so swiftly and successfully in North America following introduction:
Generalist Nesting and Feeding Habits
The Collared-Dove’s ability to utilize many different nest sites and food sources enabled it to flourish across diverse environments in North America.
Lack of Competition
Again there was no ecologically similar native species occupying the Collared-Dove’s niche in North America. This allowed it to thrive here.
Abundant Resources
Spilled grain from agriculture provided plentiful food. Collared-Doves also took readily to backyard bird feeders.
Mild Climate
The dove was pre-adapted to survive across much of North America’s mild climates.
Reduced Predation
Nesting close to humans shielded the Collared-Dove from many potential predators, improving nest success.
Rapid Reproduction
Collared-Doves can breed year-round in warm climates, quickly boosting population growth through fast reproduction.
Impact and Status of Introduced Populations
The introduced Eurasian Collared-Dove has become securely established and abundant across North America and the Caribbean. Impacts on native species have been minimal so far and the Collared-Dove is not considered an invasive pest. It may compete somewhat for food and nesting sites with native doves like the Mourning Dove. But overall, there has been little negative impact.
Going forward, the Collared-Dove will likely continue thriving across its introduced range. Populations may gradually spread further in South America and the species could potentially reach a pan-American distribution. While the Collared-Dove only recently colonized the Americas, it has quickly made itself at home here, becoming a familiar new member of urban bird communities.
Conclusion
In just decades, the adaptable and resourceful Eurasian Collared-Dove has remarkably expanded its range from its original home in Europe and Asia to successfully colonize new continents. After first spreading rapidly across Europe, accidental and intentional introductions brought the Collared-Dove to the Americas, where thriving populations quickly became established. Ability to utilize diverse foods and habitats enabled this species to prosper across a wide span of the Americas. The Collared-Dove is a testament to how effectively certain species can colonize new environments when they are pre-adapted to exploit the available ecological niche. This introduced dove has integrated well into its new settings and provides an excellent example of a rapidly expanding introduced species.