The Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a medium-sized dove species native to Asia and Europe that has been introduced to many parts of North America. Their large size, abundance, and ground-foraging habits make them a potential prey species for many predators, including hawks. In this article, we will explore whether hawks eat Eurasian collared-doves by looking at the hunting and feeding behaviors of different hawk species and examining any documented interactions between hawks and Eurasian collared-doves.
Do hawks hunt doves?
In general, many hawk species are known to prey on doves and pigeons. Here are some examples:
Sharp-shinned Hawks
Sharp-shinned hawks are small, forest-dwelling hawks that specialize in hunting small birds. Multiple studies have found mourning doves, common prey for sharp-shinned hawks across much of their range. Given the similar size and habits of Eurasian collared-doves, sharp-shinned hawks likely also hunt this introduced dove species.
Cooper’s Hawks
Cooper’s hawks are larger forest-dwelling hawks that prey on medium-sized birds like doves. Research in Arizona has found Eurasian collared-doves and mourning doves to be common Cooper’s hawk prey items. Another study in Missouri found mourning doves to be the second most common prey species after Northern cardinals. Their adaptability likely allows Cooper’s hawks to take advantage of the abundant Eurasian collared-dove as an introduced food source.
Northern Goshawks
The Northern goshawk is a larger, woodland-dwelling hawk that feeds on birds up to the size of grouse and crows. Doves and pigeons are cited as common prey for Northern goshawks. Their large size and ability to swiftly chase prey through dense forest would make them well-equipped to prey on Eurasian collared-doves.
Red-tailed Hawks
Red-tailed hawks are common open country and urban-dwelling raptors. They are bold generalist hunters willing to prey on any appropriately sized animals. While mourning doves are one of the most commonly reported prey items for red-tailed hawks, they are also capable of taking the larger Eurasian collared-dove.
Swainson’s Hawks
Swainson’s hawks are open country hunters that migrate annually between western North America and South America. Studies of their diet have found mourning doves to be a primary prey item. Their similar size and adaptability means they likely also prey readily on Eurasian collared-doves where they overlap in range.
Documented Predation
There are some specific documented examples of hawks preying on Eurasian collared-doves:
– A study examining prey items delivered to Northern goshawk nests in Oregon found that 18% of identified prey items were Eurasian collared-doves, indicating they are a regular food source.
– In Arizona, a Cooper’s hawk was observed hunting a Eurasian collared-dove by knocking it out of a tree then collecting it from the ground.
– Game camera footage from Nebraska captured a red-tailed hawk preying on a Eurasian collared-dove in an urban area.
– Eurasian collared-doves were found in 18% of Swainson’s hawk nests covered in a Wyoming study, making them the second most common nest prey after cottontail rabbits.
Suitable Prey for Hawks
Several factors make Eurasian collared-doves suitable prey for hawks:
Abundance
With a distribution across 35 US states and Canadian provinces and a population estimate of up to 87 million, Eurasian collared-doves are highly abundant compared to native doves. This availability makes them a convenient food source.
Ground Feeding Habits
Eurasian collared-doves primarily forage on the ground for seeds and grain, unlike native doves that feed in trees and shrubs. This exposes them to predation by hawks.
Size
Eurasian collared-doves are larger than mourning doves at 12-14 inches long with a 25 inch wingspan and weigh 5-6 oz. This makes them suitable for a wider range of hawk species to prey on.
Nesting and Roosting Habits
Eurasian collared-doves nest in areas accessible to hawks, like along tree branches, shrubs, and human structures. They also commonly roost on the ground where hawks can ambush them.
Dove Species | Length (inches) | Wingspan (inches) | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|---|
Eurasian Collared-Dove | 12-14 | 25 | 5-6 |
Mourning Dove | 9-13 | 17 | 3-6 |
Hunting Strategies Used Against Doves
To prey on Eurasian collared-doves, hawks utilize various hunting strategies:
Perch Hunting
Hawks will perch and scan for doves from an elevated vantage point, swooping down on any that come into range. Perch hunting is especially used by forest hawks like sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks.
Spot and Pursue
Hawks will cruise through areas and pursue any doves they spot while flying over. Northern goshawks and Swainson’s hawks use their speed and agility to chase down doves in open areas.
Ambush
Hawks will conceal themselves in vegetation and ambush doves as they walk along the ground while feeding and drinking. Red-tailed hawks use this strategy in areas like grasslands and agricultural fields.
Harassing Flocks
Some hawks will intentionally flush flocks of doves to panic them, making them easier to single out and capture in flight. This mobbing behavior is seen in Cooper’s hawks and sharp-shinned hawks.
Advantages for Hawks Hunting Doves
Here are some key advantages hawks have when hunting Eurasian collared-doves and other dove species:
Speed and Maneuverability While Flying
With their compact bodies and long, pointed wings, hawks are extremely agile fliers. They can swiftly chase down doves once spotted.
Surprise Ambush Attacks
Their stealthy approach helps hawks launch ambush attacks before doves can react and take flight.
Powerful Talons for Grasping Prey
Hawks have large talons designed to lock onto prey. Their grip strength and long toes allow them to easily snatch doves right out of the air.
Sharp Vision for Spotting Doves
Excellent eyesight allows hawks to spot doves from great distances as they search for food. Binocular vision also helps them accurately judge distances when diving at prey.
Curved Beaks for Tearing Flesh
The hooked upper beaks of hawks are effective tools for swiftly killing dove prey and tearing flesh as they eat.
Population Impacts on Doves
The widespread predation of Eurasian collared-doves by hawks may have some impacts on their population growth and spread:
Limits Range Expansion
Predation pressure could slow the expansion of Eurasian collared-doves into new areas by controlling populations at the edges of their range.
Controls Population at Higher Densities
In areas where Eurasian collared-doves are very abundant, hawks may help regulate populations and prevent excessive growth.
Favors Native Dove Species
With hawks potentially preferentially targeting the more abundant Eurasian collared-doves, they may benefit and protect native mourning dove populations through competition release.
Applies More Predation Pressure
As an additional predator of doves besides native predators like falcons, hawks add to the overall predation pressure on both Eurasian collared-doves and native doves.
However, the substantial and still rapidly growing population of Eurasian collared-doves suggests predation is not currently limiting their numbers across most of their invasive range.
Risks to Hawks
While they are effective predators of doves, hawks do face some risks when hunting them:
Retaliation by Large Doves
Larger doves can sometimes inflict injury to hawks if grabbed incorrectly or defending a nest. Eurasian collared-doves in particular are larger than native mourning doves.
Exposure to Pesticides
Doves that have fed on chemically treated seeds may contain agricultural pesticides that could sicken hawks or interfere with reproduction if ingested.
Parasites and Diseases
Predators can become infected by internal or external parasites carried by prey species, or contract diseases like avian pox. Doves may expose hawks to some health risks.
However, hawks seem to gain adequate nutrition from dove prey to offset these limited risks. Varying their diet across many prey species likely also helps minimize any risks from over-consuming doves alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many different hawk species across North America regularly prey on the invasive Eurasian collared-dove, especially where they overlap in range. The abundance, ground-feeding habits, and suitable size of Eurasian collared-doves make them a convenient target for hawks hunting for avian prey. While hawk predation likely has little effect on limiting the massive and growing population of Eurasian collared-doves, it does provide an advantage to native dove species that must compete with the invasive doves for habitat and resources. So predation of the invasive doves by hawks helps play a small part in regulating delicate ecosystems by preferentially targeting the more common invasive species.