The Eurasion collared dove is coming your way. If you haven't seen one of these wild doves yet, you probably will soon, for the bird has quietly and quickly become a common sight in many parts of Florida and the Southeast, and has been spotted as far north as Minnesota.
The Eurasion collared dove first appeared on this continent in the 1980s. The bird originated a hundred years ago, mainly thriving in Asia and Europe. By the 1950s the doves had naturally extended their range all the way to the British Isles. The species was introduced into the Bahamas during the 1970s, and after expanding in and around these islands, soon migrated naturally to the Florida peninsula.

Today, these doves are commonly seen in Florida and surrounding southeastern states, although many may mistake them for a domesticated ringneck turtle dove - a domesticated dove often sold in the pet industry - which it closely resembles.

Appearance
The Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto, is a member of the pigeon family Columbidae. Their body is nearly 11 inches in length -- slightly larger than the turtledove. A black ring with white edges circles the nape of its neck, which is a pale gray color. The primary flights are quite dark, giving a black appearance, and the plumage is grayer than that of the turtledove. The long, square-tail has white corners and a black base. When viewed from the underside, the collared dove appears grayer than a turtle dove, with black visible on the tail. The turtle dove is white with much less black on the tail.

One effective and very reliable means of identifying the Eurasion collared dove is by its song. The collared dove's coo is a coarse, rapid, three-part coo, in contrast to the melodic and easily recognized coo of the common mourning dove and the ring-necked turtledove's hollow-sounding two-part coo. Doves are very vocal and often can be heard harmonizing during early morning and evening hours. Next time you're out, pay attention to the sound of the doves; you should be able to easily identify the coos of different species.

Environment
Most doves prefer feeding on the ground, and the Eurasian collared dove in no exception. The best place to observe doves are in urban and suburban areas such as city and county parks. Look for them feeding on the ground in open areas around road sides and parking lots. Doves are also commonly seen in fields where grains such as corn, soybeans and wheat are grown. Near the end of the day, look for the Eurasian collared dove in tree tops and on utility lines. Their feeding preference makes them regular visitors to backyard feeding stations that provide peanuts, thistle seed, corn and millet. They often consume the seed that falls to the ground but will readily use a platform-type feeder as well.

Like most other doves, the collared dove builds a flimsy nest and rears two young from each clutch. The Eurasian collared dove has been observed nesting in southern states during nearly every month of the year. These long nesting seasons in the South, coupled with the warmer winters of recent years in the rest of the country, have created rapid population growth and expansion. In addition, the continuing urbanization in our country provides new and well- received habitats for dove populations.

The Eurasian collared dove is not the only dove on the move in North America. The populations and ranges of white-winged doves, rudy-ground doves and the Inca doves also have expanded notably in recent population counts, as measured by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, that conduct numerous bird counts each year with the help of dedicated birders throughout the country. Programs such as Project Feeder Watch, the Great Backyard Bird Count and the annual Christmas Bird Watch also gather statistical data which is used in mapping the species growth and population dynamics of doves and other birds. Even the common mourning dove is more common in many northern parts of the United States than it was years ago, according to these surveys. If you enjoy this family of birds, keep eyes open and ears to the wind. You might be surprised at what is cooing around the corner.

JOHN C. TYSON is a freelance writer and photographer in Eustis, Florida.