The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a medium-sized dove species that is found across Europe and Asia. They were introduced to North America in the 20th century and can now be found across much of the United States and Canada. Eurasian Collared-Doves are present year-round but they do have seasonal patterns in their breeding, migration, and food habits.
Breeding Season
Eurasian Collared-Doves tend to begin breeding in March or April in most parts of their range. The exact timing of the start of the breeding season depends on local temperatures and the availability of food sources. Warmer temperatures and plentiful food will initiate breeding earlier in the year.
Once they begin breeding, Eurasian Collared-Doves can raise multiple broods in a single breeding season. Each brood consists of 2 white eggs that are incubated by both parents for 14-18 days. The young fledge the nest at 15-19 days old. Pairs can raise up to 6 broods per year if conditions allow.
The breeding season extends through summer and fall. Most Eurasian Collared-Doves wrap up breeding activities by September or October, but some individuals may continue laying eggs into November and December if temperatures are warm enough.
So in summary, Eurasian Collared-Doves breed from March/April through September/October in most parts of their range, with the exact timing dependent on local climate and food availability. They are prolific breeders, capable of raising multiple broods in a single season.
Migration Patterns
Eurasian Collared-Doves are not considered true long-distance migrants like some other bird species. However, they do make seasonal movements in response to changes in weather and food availability.
In cooler northern parts of their range, Eurasian Collared-Doves may migrate moderate distances of a few hundred miles to reach warmer wintering grounds. They tend to leave their breeding grounds by September or October to avoid harsh winter conditions.
Further south, Eurasian Collared-Doves may migrate shorter distances or even remain in the same general area year-round if winters are mild. They may make local movements between urban and rural habitats depending on food availability.
So while not all individuals migrate long distances, Eurasian Collared-Doves do undergo seasonal shifts in their ranges. These movements are weather-dependent and driven by the need to find adequate food. Cold temperatures and snow cover tend to trigger larger migratory movements.
Food and Feeding Patterns
Eurasian Collared-Doves have varied diets that shift based on seasonal availability. Their foods include:
- Seeds from grain crops, grasses, weeds
- Fruit and berries
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Grain from agricultural areas and bird feeders
In warmer months, Eurasian Collared-Doves rely more heavily on high-protein foods like insects and larvae to support breeding and chick-rearing. They forage these foods from the ground in open habitats.
In fall and winter, their diet shifts to focus more on seeds from grasses, grains, and berries from shrubs and trees. They become more dependent on grain sources from agricultural areas and backyard bird feeders in colder weather.
So food availability is a major driver of local movements and migration in Eurasian Collared-Doves. Their distribution tracks closely with the seasonal abundance of preferred grain and seed sources.
Defense of Territories
Eurasian Collared-Doves are fairly territorial birds. Pairs defend breeding and nesting territories from other doves during the breeding season from spring to fall. They also maintain winter foraging territories against conspecifics (members of the same species).
Collared-dove territorial behavior includes aggressive displays like loud calling and pursuits. Disputes between neighbors frequently occur at territory boundaries. These territorial defenses are more frequent during breeding season but can occur year-round.
Territoriality limits local densities of Eurasian Collared-Doves as pairs actively defend resources. The availability of nesting sites and winter food resources influences territory size and local population numbers. Larger territories occur where these resources are limited.
So territoriality follows seasonal patterns geared around breeding and winter food availability. But defense of local territories can occur throughout the year as needed.
Vulnerability to Cold Weather
As a species adapted to temperate and subtropical climates across Europe and Asia, Eurasian Collared-Doves are vulnerable to cold, icy winter weather.
Prolonged freezing temperatures and snow/ice coverage can restrict their access to food sources. Icy conditions also make it difficult to take off and land safely, increasing their risk of predation.
To cope with harsh winters, Eurasian Collared-Doves will migrate to find more favorable weather conditions and rely on grain from agricultural sources. But severe or abnormal winter weather can still lead to starvation and higher mortality rates.
Their vulnerability to cold is a major reason why Eurasian Collared-Doves adjust their distribution and habits seasonally. Movements between breeding and wintering grounds provide access to adequate food and weather conditions.
Seasonal Habitat Use
Eurasian Collared-Doves use a variety of open to semi-open habitats including:
- Farmland
- Rural areas with a mix of croplands, grasslands, woodlots
- Suburban yards and parks
- Urban edges
During the breeding season, they frequent more rural and agricultural areas that provide:
- Abundant food like grains, seeds, and invertebrates to support breeding
- Nesting sites in trees, on buildings, and along rights-of-way
- Open foraging areas
In winter, they shift to using more urban and suburban habitats where food can be found at bird feeders and warmer conditions may prevail.
So Collared-Doves use a mix of habitat types throughout the year, but make seasonal shifts between rural and urban areas as breeding and wintering needs dictate.
Responses to Weather Conditions
Eurasian Collared-Doves use a variety of strategies to cope with changing seasonal weather conditions:
- Migration – Movements between breeding and wintering grounds to find favorable temperatures and food conditions.
- Acclimatization – Physiological adaptations like fluffing feathers for insulation in winter.
- Microhabitat use – Seeking sheltered roosting spots and sunny exposures in winter.
- Food switching – Shift diet seasonally to rely on grain sources in winter.
Their adaptations provide flexibility to deal with diverse and changing conditions across the year. Territories and movements are adjusted in response to temperature, precipitation, and food availability.
So Eurasian Collared-Doves demonstrate a range of behavioral and physiological strategies for responding to shifting seasonal weather patterns.
Population Level Impacts
Seasonal patterns in breeding, movement, habitat use, and mortality related to winter weather can impact Eurasian Collared-Dove populations in a number of ways:
- Winter weather severity influences overwinter survival rates.
- Availability of nesting sites and food resources affects reproductive success.
- Territorial behaviors limit local population densities.
- Seasonal movements redistribute populations.
In warmer climates, populations may remain relatively stable year-round. But at higher latitudes, populations likely fluctuate seasonally as breeding pairs move out of areas that become inhospitable in winter.
Climate change could allow Collared-Doves to expand their range further north. Warmer winters may improve overwinter survival and allow breeding at higher latitudes.
So seasonal factors can significantly influence Eurasian Collared-Dove population numbers and distribution on a local and regional scale.
Conclusions
In summary, Eurasian Collared-Doves do demonstrate seasonal patterns related to:
- Breeding from March/April through September/October.
- Migration movements in response to winter weather severity.
- Diet shifts to focus on different food sources.
- Territoriality focused around breeding and winter foraging grounds.
- Use of rural vs. urban habitats.
- Physiological and behavioral adaptations to weather conditions.
These seasonal patterns help Collared-Doves take advantage of favorable conditions for breeding, food availability, and shelter throughout the year across their wide geographic range. Their flexibility and adaptations allow them to thrive across diverse climates and conditions.