Eurasian Collared-Dove

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is incredibly adept at adapting to varied environments. It prefers residential areas and often nests near houses and other developed areas where food is easily available. Its nest is a flimsy construction of twigs placed in trees, but occasionally collared-doves will nest on manmade structures. In cooler months, flocks may roost together in large trees. The collared-dove is not a migrant in the true sense, in that individuals are not known to return to breeding or wintering grounds. However, individuals move great distances, which has allowed the species to quickly expand its range across North America.  In 2008, there was a well-established population in the Similkameen Valley (perhaps present since the early 1980s), numerous scattered records in the southern interior and along the coast north to Haida Gwaii, and odd records in the interior farther north. By 2012, records were truly widespread across central and southern British Columbia, with breeding confirmed as far north as Stuart Lake, and probable breeding recorded as far north as Atlin Lake and the Liard River.

• The Eurasian Collared-Dove is considered a pest in agricultural areas, especially in areas that grow grains.
• Its impact on native species requires further investigation, but it has been suggested that the Eurasian Collared-Dove may compete for food with the native Mourning Dove in habitats where they overlap.
• The Eurasian Collared-Dove shares parasites with Mourning Doves and other similar species, and can carry viruses and infections that cause mortality in native species.