Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

This bird is a species of dove native to Asia and Europe. They were recently introduced in North America from accidental and intentional releases in the Caribbean during the 1970s. These birds were quick to colonize Florida, and rapidly expanded their range over most of the USA. Only northeastern USA has not been colonized by these birds, probably because of the harshness of the winters.

Thus far, no negative impacts on native species have been documented, though some scientists are concerned they may spread the parasite Trichomonas gallinae (canker), or the disease Pigeon Paramyxovirus.

Taxonomists recognise two subspecies of Eurasian Collared-Dove:

• S. d. decaocto lives across Europe and northeastern Africa, east through Asia Minor and the Middle East to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and western China.
• S. d. xanthocyclus lives in Myanmar (Burma) east to southeastern China.

It may be a character defect of mine, but I cannot get excited about photographing invasive species. Despite many opportunities, I haven’t recorded many images of these birds.