Figure 1. Eurasian Collared-Dove at bird feeder
What’s a guy to do when my hunting seasons are over and it’s -5°F outside?
It’s in that short period where the ice is not yet thick enough for ice fishing and when it’s this cold, it’s hard to keep the rod guides free of ice for fly fishing.
Since it snowed last night, it might be a good day to stay home and trap Eurasian Collared-Doves.
As their name implies, Eurasian Collared-doves (Streptopelia decaocto) are native to Europe and Asia. These invasive, non-native birds were established in the Bahamas in the 1970s when about 50 birds either escaped or were released during a robbery.
By the 1980s, they made the jump to Florida. It is unclear how they did it, but they could have made the trip on their own, or they could have blown to shore during a hurricane or there could have been other escapes or releases. Either way, they have been expanding across North America ever since.
Collared Doves Have Invaded North America
I found records that indicate collared doves had reached Texas, Colorado & New Mexico in 1995. They expanded into Utah and Montana in 1997 and into Oregon & Wyoming in 1998. They reached Arizona in 2000 and California in 2001, but didn’t expand into Idaho until 2005.
How did they jump Idaho and get to Oregon seven years earlier? Perhaps they came through California or there are earlier records for Idaho I didn’t find.
Figure 2. Eurasian Collared-dove (EUCD) range expansion from 2000 to 2015
I first noticed collared doves in my town in the Inter-mountain West in 2005, but now, they are one of the most common birds in the area.
I found range data from several sources (mainly Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird.org and many online articles) to create the maps in Figure 2. The figure shows the range of Eurasian Collared-Doves (EUCD) in 2000 and the beginning of 2015.
Are Collared Doves Displacing Native Doves?
We don’t know yet how much native doves compete with collared doves for food or nesting habitat, but with their population and range expanding so rapidly, we must assume they are competing with the native doves (Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove and Common Ground Doves) for food and perhaps nesting habitat, because every seed that is eaten by a collared dove is not available for any other dove, bird or animal.
Related to the Magician’s Doves
If you have not noticed collared doves in the wild, you are probably familiar with a close relative as the magician’s bird, birds released during weddings and in movies or as pets. These are domestic versions of the African Collared-dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea), often called “ring doves”, “turtle doves” or “ringed-turtle doves”.
Unprotected? or No Bag Limit and No Closed Season
Collared doves are non-native and therefore are not protected by by state or federal law. Let me rephrase that. My state (and probably yours as well) has never relinquished authority over “unprotected” birds like collared doves, pigeons, house sparrows or starlings, but currently in my state, there are no closed seasons, bag limits and no hunting license is required.
When I worked for my State’s Division of Wildlife, among other things, I trapped and banded birds, so I am a professional bird trapper and know dozens of ways to passively and actively trap all kinds of birds. I hesitate to give too much information about trapping, because there are always a few people that will accidentally trap, injure and stress protected birds. So, I do not tell people I can’t supervise how to trap birds. But anyone with an IQ close to body temperature should be able to figure out how to catch birds that regularly come to a food source.
Learn to Identify the Various Dove Species
If you plan on trapping collared doves, just make sure you are trapping the correct doves. It is illegal to trap native doves, any native birds or game birds that includes all quail, grouse and pheasants. I recommend using an active trapping technique instead of a passive method, so no birds are not accidentally trapped. By active method, I mean you must actually do something, like pull a string to catch the birds.
It should go without saying that you should be able to identify the correct birds to trap, but I have watched Mourning Dove hunters shoot Killdeer and American Kestrels, so we know there will always be room for improvement and many people will benefit from more education. It should be easier to identify doves before you trap them than when shooting at them, because they should be standing still at close range.
Everyone in Southern Canada, the U.S and Mexico need to know how to properly identify collared doves because everyone in these areas have some kind of native doves. Table 1 shows the range and key characters for the most common doves and pigeons found in North America.
Table 1. North American Dove & Pigeon Identification Chart
| Eurasian Collared -Dove | Mourning Dove | White-winged Dove | Inca Dove | Common Ground-Dove | Band-tailed Pigeon | Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | S Can, US & Mex | S Can, US & Mex | SC & SW US & Mex | SC & SW US & Mex | SE, SC & SW US & Mex | B.C, SW & NW US & Mex | S Can, US & Mex |
| Color | Tan or gray | Brown to buffy tan | Brown | Light brown | Sandy brown | Blue-gray above & purple-gray below | Variable, but most blue-gray |
| Wing | No marks | Black spots above | White stripe on edge | Rufous in wing when flying | Bright rufous under & Iridescent spots above | Pale gray w dark tips | Most w dark bands |
| Tail | Square w white patches | Long & pointed, white tips w black borders | Square, no white | Square, no white | Short & square, no white | Pale gray band | Short & square w dark tip |
| Special | Black collar on neck | Black spot on cheek | Dark line on cheek | Scaly pattern on body | Scaly pattern on head | White crescent on neck, Yellow bill & feet | White cere at base of dark bill |
The table includes Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), Inca Dove (Columbina inca), Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina), Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) and the Common Rock Pigeon (Columba livia -AKA feral pigeon).
Mourning Doves and Rock Doves are the most common and are found almost everywhere from Southern Canada, the U.S. and in Mexico. Common Ground-Doves are found in the Southern U.S. (South-west, South-central & South-east) and in Mexico. Both the White-winged and Inca Doves are found in the South-central and South-west U.S. and Mexico. Band-tailed Pigeons are found from British Columbia down the West Coast into Mexico and the South-west U.S.
Be aware there are two more species that are found only in the extreme southern tip of Texas, Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) and White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) that are not included in the table (links open photos in new window).
Summary of North American Dove & Pigeon Identification:
- Collared Doves are the only doves with a black collar and no marks on the wings.
- Mourning Doves have a black spot on their cheek and on the upper side of the wings.
- White-winged Doves have a dark line on their cheek and a white border on the wings.
- Inca Doves have a scaly pattern over their entire body and show a rufous color in the wing when flying.
- Common Ground-Doves have a scaly pattern on just their head and have bright rufous color under the wing.
- Band-tailed Pigeons have a white crescent on a blue-gray neck and a yellow bill and feet.
- Feral Pigeons can come in many colors, but they have a white cere (fleshy patch at base of upper bill) and a dark bill.
We don’t know yet how collared doves will affect native doves and other birds, but with their exponential growth, the rules have changed. I never see Mourning Doves at my feeder anymore, but have as many as 30 collared doves around the yard at any given time. Collared doves are plentiful, easy to catch and delicious and removing collared doves from the wild has to help our native doves.
I prefer eating doves that are trapped instead of shot because no bloody spots in the meat or bird shot to pick out or to break my teeth. Plus, most of us can trap in our back yards even if we can’t discharge firearms.
The local raptors appear to have adjusted to the new players in the game and we have watched both Cooper’s Hawks and female Sharp-shinned hawks catch and eat collared doves. The hawks may eat more doves than me, but only because they get to do it full time.
I though I had pictures of collared dove breasts before and after I filleted them and after my wife grilled them. But sadly, I do not and the evidence has been eaten.
Try this recipe for Dove:
Check back for pictures and for more of our favorite dove recipes.
Have you considered using an air gun to pick them off? I’ve watched lots of videos of guys hunting them before. Check out EdGunUSA or AirArmsHuntingSA for some awesome videos 🙂
Yes Rob, but people with neighbors have to be very careful shooting any weapon including sling shots, arrows or air guns/pellet rifles. Plus, it is illegal in most (if not all) towns.
I prefer to trap the invasive doves in my yard and I don’t get any damaged meat or bite into pellets when I eat them.
Not a fan of killing animals for fun, so I guess “awesome videos” are in the eye of the beholder. I was curious as to what you considered to be awesome, so I watched two of your recommended videos. They were either shooting protected animals or were taking irresponsible shots. Not so awesome for me… just a reminder of how many people need to be educated about wildlife, ethics and firearm safety. No wonder people without hunting backgrounds are so afraid of people with guns.
Huh, the videos I’ve seen have been for pest control and for food. Both EdGun and AirArms eat everything they shoot or feed it to cats on the farms, and I haven’t seen them take shots that I’d consider irresponsible. The rifles they use are incredibly precise and they’re both highly skilled at calculating the arc of their shots, but it’s in the eye of the beholder I guess. Just wondering, what was the protected species that you saw them shooting?
Rob:
No doubt the shooters are highly skilled and I was amazed as some of the shots they made.
But I only took time to look at two videos and I stick with my comments that both showed illegal activity or unethical shots, but I will concede that the illegal activity may not be illegal in all states and the appearance of unethical shots is from the camera’s point of view only.
First, let me say my original response was not knowing if you were an impressionable 12 year old wanting to emulate everything seen on the videos or if you were an experienced (mature) air rifle enthusiast. Based on the enthusiasm for the videos in your first comment, I assumed the former. But based on your follow up comment, you are probably much older and wiser. Perhaps the videos are yours?
The first potentially illegal activity was shooting in an urban setting (their description, not mine). Check regs, but it is illegal to discharge any firearm (including air rifle) within town limits in most places. It is possible that it is not illegal where the video was taken, but I still would not want to encourage a 12 year old to shoot next to my house.
Second potential illegal activity was shooting chipmunks. They are protected species in many (but not all) states. It may not have been illegal where they were.
Third illegal activity was shooting a pigeons on power lines. It is illegal to shoot at power lines. In addition, the shooter (if caught) will be liable for all damages. Also, many power lines are near roads and it is illegal and unethical to shoot across roads.
Forth, crows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. States can set hunting seasons and harvest limits, but permits are needed to control crows, so check with your local wildlife officials. Farms can get permits for controlling crows, so perhaps they have permits to shoot them.
The videos showed many shots at birds sitting on the roof of a barn or grain silo. Perhaps the building belonged to the people that were doing the shooting, but I can image the farmer would not be pleased to know people were shooting his roof and equipment.
I assume skilled shooters know where bullets are falling, but from the camera’s perspective, it was impossible to know if it was safe to shoot over the buildings and power lines or not. But you know what happens when we assume.
As a wildlife biologist, I have a general problem with the concept of “pest control”. No doubt we have pests and in many cases they need to be controlled. Since I kill non-native doves, I certainly don’t have a problem with people killing pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.
But I do have a problem with shooting chipmunks (legal or otherwise). Shooting them will never solve the problem. The naïve urban homeowners are lucky to only have a chipmunk problem. If they don’t secure the birdseed and pet food, they could just as easily have a rat, skunk, raccoon or bear problem. Do we endlessly shoot them all as pests or do we make sure animals can’t get into the birdseed and pet food in the first place? I think many would allow the problem to continue so they could kill for sport.
Personally, I lean more towards the joys of hunting than shooting. Yes, I shoot when I hunt, but I get no thrill from killing and I definitely don’t get a thrill from watching other people kill something purely for fun. I admit I got more of a thrill from the kill as a teenager.
So, we are back to awesome is in the eye of the beholder… and perhaps the beholder changes as we get older…
Thanks for the comment and for the discussion.
Good for you BackcountryChronicles.
These “painintheass” Eurasian doves are infesting everywhere. They are filthy and their numbers are exploding. I rarely hear mourning doves anymore. Two years ago mourning doves were common. At one point, we had a pair or two within a four house radius. They are either gone or have decided to go silent. I hate these invaders.
Watha: Native doves are being out-competed for food and nest sites inside town limits by Eurasian collared-doves. I haven’t seen Mourning Doves at our feeder for several years, but I still see a few around, but mostly outside of town.
This is an example of why invasive species are ranked high on our list of conservation concerns.
Dear Sirs,
I can see nothing in the literature that says whether I need a migratory bird license permit to hunt the Eurasian Collared Dove. Can you clarify this point for me?
You are correct Roger. Eurasian Collared Dove are an invasive species and each state may use different terminology, but they are listed as “unprotected” in Texas see here.
I live in Southeastern New Mexico and the collared doves are everywhere. There are less of the white winged doves than in years past, but they are still common. Sadly the mourning doves have all but vanished.
Because I’m so hungry and I like meat and have cats that like collared dove more than cat food I have taken an interest in harvesting them. With the cats nothing will go to waste.
Trapping seems the safer way to go as I do have neighbors somewhat close and other creatures on and around my property. What method do you recommend to kill the birds after trapping them?
Mark: I believe the most humane way to kill them is to separate the brain from the rest of the body. They are small enough you can do it quickly with your hands. I also recommend killing them as soon as you take them from the trap, so they aren’t stressed any longer than necessary. They will flop around, so I put them in a bag, then pluck them inside the bag.
If you live in a place where they may eat poison bait (intended for pigeons), you may want to keep them in a quiet place with clean water for 24 hours to make sure they are O.K.
I’m pretty sure trapping any game bird is illegal in NM. The state Game and Fish dept often will issue a property owner a permit to take protected species that could allow trapping. Though there’s an open season year round in NM, there are manner/method of taking rules and of course license requirements that apply. Also the ‘waste of game’ law applies and requires that game birds be used for human consumption.
Chris: You are correct that New Mexico treats European collared-doves as an upland game species and trapping would be illegal, but the legal hunting season is only open April 1 – March 31, not year round. There is no limit on collared-doves.
I don’t think they would be competing with native doves for nest sites. Competition for nest sites is mainly an issue for cavity nesters. Doves and pigeons are platform nesters and reasonably flat surfaces that can be used for nesting are not in short supply, unlike suitable cavities.
Gayle I agree that invasive doves probably don’t compete for actual nest sites, but was thinking more in terms of nesting territories and food competition.
This year, we had native Mourning Doves nest in one of our trees, but previously collared-doves nested in the same tree for three years. I have no doubt that two dove species could even nest in the same tree at the same time, but that is not how it usually works.
Why this year and not before? Weather? Loss of collared-dove pair?
A good question to answer would be: How close together can they nest successfully?
I have seen mourning dove nests on the ground in sage brush habitats, but have not seen documentation that collared-doves can do the same.
But there is no question that collared-doves are taking over urban and farmland habitats.
Since you can observe these species in the wild, are you able to observe their behavior and interaction? Are the collared doves ever aggressive toward the mourning doves? if you put out food, do you ever observe them feeding together? It would be valuable information to gather.
Yes, both species are easy to observe, but we’ve seen few interactions between them.
Before the Eurasian Collared-doves (EUCD) arrived (about 2006), we had a few Mourning Doves (MODO) at the bird feeder and they started to nest in the trees around the house after the trees were large enough.
After the collared-doves arrived, we see few MODOs around the neighborhoods, but do see them in sagebrush areas as well as pastureland and cropland surrounding the town.
The collared-doves have taken over the areas with planted trees and the native doves are primarily in the open areas. Do most still nest in trees? (I mentioned before, MODOs will nest on the ground in open areas).
I have never seen them feeding together. Collared-doves are more aggressive around the feeder, so I am sure they would push any MODOs out. EUCDs seem to ignore the smaller birds, but are intimidated by the scrub jays.
A few anecdotal observations are just that. At some point, some poor Master’s or PhD student will design a rigorous study and answer the question.
The Cooper’s Hawks and female Sharp-shinned Hawks seem to enjoy the collared-doves.
I am a farmer in the Southern tip of Texas, and I have witnessed white winged doves and collared-doves feeding in milo fields side by side and also in flight groups together.
These showed up in Western Wyoming in 2011. Numbers increased through 2014 but have since declined steadily. They do not seem to disturb our Mourning Doves now but did displace them the first few years. Wyoming declared them a game bird but set the hunt area as the whole state with season running all year and no bag limit. My record of harvest indicates change of population
2012 – 55 2013 – 55 2014 – 81 2015 – 67 2016 – 50 2017 – 29 2018 (6 mos) 15
Update to my comments. Total for 2018 was 19. Through 8-12-2019, total is 4. Mourning Dove numbers are up here, Collared almost gone.
Do you think your trapping has removed the Collared-Doves or they have learned to avoid your place?
I shoot, don’t trap. Numbers have declined steadily here – they just are not around. My brother in Utah has seen the same decline. He feels the hawks have put a big dent in them, having learned to like the easy prey.
I have watched both Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks capture Eurasian Collared-Doves (EUCD)… I have also watched them miss may more times than they catch… I wouldn’t say EUCDs are easy prey (they have evolved to evade predation from Eurasian Accipiters), but if they are more abundant that makes them more available. I also see less than I did a few years ago (also in Utah), but that is only my opinion, not a standardized survey…
Bill B. Do you shoot or trap? I’m in northern Colorado live outside city limits and have had an explosion of these doves over last 2 years; time to clear them out. Maybe yours came down to me ha ha! Anyone have good resources book/video for trapping. Thanks!!
I will not reply for Bill…
As a former wildlife professional, I am not in the business of teaching the general public how to trap things, but think about it.
I could think of a thousand ways to trap doves that are coming to a food supply.
Youtube will also show you many ways to trap, though many folks are doing illegal things…
Keep it legal and enjoy this new invasive dining resource (best doves ever, because no bird shot).
Apparently and strangely IMHO here in California, air rifles are a legal means of take (section 311.f), for Resident Game Animals.
Agreed, they are the original sniper rifle. It would be an interesting case – an invasive species, taken with air guns w/I city limits. Bigger fish to fry, maybe? Meanwhile I will pursue this outside of local regulations. Thanks
Hi Brett – Air rifles are capable of quick clean kills on birds like doves, so I don’t have a problem with air rifles being a legal means of take. What I do have a problem with is too many people assume it is legal to shoot air rifles in town. While it might be legal to harvest a dove with an air rifle, it is probably illegal to do so in almost every town. It is possible that some towns will issue special permits.
The problem with air rifles and BB guns in town is all about safety. Too many videos clearly show people shooting with no idea where the pellet is landing.
We all know responsible people that could safely shoot doves in town and we all know irresponsible people that should not be shooting anything, anywhere, ever.
I saw my first Collared dove in 2007 in Eastern Wa. state and was awestruck! I have hunted mourning doves in prior years for since 1992 and NEVER seem a collared dove up north here. I now have a small residential property over there and they are everywhere! In the tree’s & grass in my small lot and are seen in the small town two miles to my south hanging out at the Grain Silo’s! Yes, there is still Mourning doves around too. This will be my first time hunting any Doves since 2005 and can actually harvest Collars RIGHT NOW with a Wa. state “small game license” with No limit year around, state wide as I live on Both sides! I would warn anyone wanting to trap these to be “mindful” of snoopy neighbors in a residential area as they would probably NOT understand or be wise to WHY one would do so. Birdwatchers are usually NOT educated as well in conservation in THIS manner including hunting. Thanks for all your education on these marauders in North America. I will do my part as well ethically…
Yes, you need to be aware of who is watching you trap. Obviously, everything should be done legally and humanely, but as you say, must be mindful about who is watching. Some neighbors probably don’t want to have to explain to their children where meat comes from.
I disagree that most birdwatchers are not well educated about conservation (I would say generally more educated than average person), but do agree some do not understand hunting.
Whether we like it or not, Eurasian Collared-Doves are here. They are also a resource that can be taken advantage of and help native species at the same time. Plus, first time I ever ate doves and didn’t have to watch out for led pellets.
SOO after we spoke back in July Boy i brought a 50lb, sack of pigeon feed to my new property. Alley is choked with Tumble weeks, California quail, Collared Doves, some native doves as I seen in August 2019. But the collared are predominate. I will plan on bating as I see when I feed they gulp up and then take off to the Desert lake side brush as we are just west of that lake side. If I wait at 3 P.M. they will show up on time
I cannot bait to trap, umm maybee in a rabbit cage, no one here is on top of things… I could trap in my front yard. than do the deed. put them on the BBQ
Yes, make sure you know the laws in your area. If you can’t use bait, they will be hard to catch.
Yes I can feed in my newly acquired yard/property, put down 30lbs. of Pigeon feed for Valley Quail, then THEY showed up in the multiple beyond dozens!!! Did not see 1 mourning Dove either. Was astonished as its been awhile since I have been this way. This is in central Eastern Wa. St.
I will go shoot some in the Desert just west on the lake-side as they come in the Nieghborhood then travel to the lake near dark-time. Will be waiting in the Willow tree’s!
They are much easier to hit as they fly straight instead of bobbing and weaving like Mourning Doves. Get a bunch!
I was recently in Tucson Az having been away from AZ for close to 40 years. I was an active dove hunter then. I had to research these new Eurasian dove. I fed ALL the birds daily for 4 months. Eurasian were more aggressive with each other. They left the 40-50 daily morning doves alone. The saddest thing to me is the reduction of the Inca doves!! In fact I have not seen ONE in 6 months. They use to be plentiful and they were never hunted??
Inca Doves are alive and well and expanding their range despite the invasion of Eurasian-collared doves… Perhaps you are seeing less because of development or other local land use changes.
Soo on my property here in Eastern, Wa. I was here doing work from Oct. 2019 to Dec 2019
I had brought over 30lbs. of extra pigeon feed. Within 1.5 months of feeding just in my little yard, I witnessed up to 60+ Collards at one time + (valley quail) collecting in/on my BIG trees 30′ tree’s out front, nearerst the Desert lake-side. WOW,,, Wish I could have taken a few OR more.Now All fishing/hunting IS shut down due to Covet19 Weird indeed!
So now I have NOT been back, BUT I heard from the neighbors they are still here, in the Neighborhood, which is just nearest the desert, ripran