I spotted this pair of Eurasian Collared Doves atop a light pole this past weekend in downtown Elkton. I was dismayed to find them already in the Northwest. This dove was orginally introduced into the Bahamas in the 1970s and then spread from there to Florida by 1982. They have since rapidly spread across the southern United Sates. In fact you might not find them listed in your bird quide unless its very recent. In 2005 I saw my first one at Buckskin Mountain State Park in Arizona. This past winter of 2009 while at Buckskin I was surprised to find that they had become the dominant bird in the park. They seem to have driven out the smaller native Mourning Dove. Now, it appears they have arrived in my home town of Elkton.
Do you suppose this is due to climate change?
ReplyDeleteNo, it has been suggested that they have spread so fast is because they can produce repetedly several tmes a year.
ReplyDeleteJust like European Starlings and House Sparrows, super competitors and super breeders.
ReplyDeleteThey are all over around our home over on the coast in Lakeside also.
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