Origin
Streptopelia decaocto is native to Europe and Asia.

Life Cycle
The Eurasian collared-dove is a gray stocky, medium-sized dove with squared tail. They have a slender black bill and a deep red iris. Their head and breast are pinkish. They have a partial black collar outlined in white on the back of the neck. There is a gray band across the bottom wing feathers and the primary feathers are dark brown. S. decaocto have a wingspan of 18-22 in. (45-55 cm). The eyes have a deep red iris. The legs and feet of S. decaocto are a dark red. Males and females are very similar and change very little throughout the year. Immature birds are similar, but have pale reddish margins on the breast, wing, and back feathers. They lack a complete collar until they are about 3 months old. Young birds have red eyes and brownish red legs. S. decaocto usually breeds February-October in temperate climates but may breed year-round in warmer regions. Clutches usually have 2 eggs with one of the eggs being much larger. Parents share incubation which lasts for about 15 days. The eggs may hatch as much as 40 days apart. After hatching the young are fed by regurgitation. The young fledge about 18 days after hatching and are independent by the time they are about a month old. The longest known lifespan of a S. decaocto was 13.6 years old.

Distribution
S. decaocto was found in Florida in the 1980s and has spread to nearly every state and into Canada.

Control Efforts
S. decaocto is considered a pest species because it competes with native species outside its native range. It can be a problem in agricultural areas, especially where grains are grown. S. decaocto can be a carrier for the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. It is hunted in some areas but generally with little effect on the overall population.
 

Resources

• Wikipedia - Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
• Nature Alley - Nature Ali Weldon, CA
• Florida's Introduced Birds - University of Florida

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
• Florida Invasive Species Partnership
• Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
• Michigan’s Prohibited and Restricted Species
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems

References