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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Collared Dove

Adult Collared Dove on left, juvenile Collared Dove on right

Collared Dove

(Eurasian Collared Dove)

Streptopelia decaocto

 

 

Photograph © Suzanne Harris
Achmore - Isle of Lewis - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
14th September, 2008

From a conversation with Frank Stark, August 2008:

"...I expect you know the main reasons why Collered Doves are so successful at becoming established and spreading .
They breed almost all year round.
When their offspring become independant the adults chase them of their maternal teritory.
The adults maintain their patch and the youngsters have to establish a teritory quickly, or they would starve.
Also, they soon learn what a bird table is and this helps their numbers no end.
I dont think they arrived in Britain until the late 1960's and just look at them now.
Most people regard them as pests but i have plenty time for them, mainly because they are docile. I watch them regularly waiting paitiently for the smaller finches and sparrows to disperse before getting their shot at the feeder.
You wouldn't see that happening with those Starlings, would you?"
Dooman

What is a Dooman?

"In Scotland, or at least in the village where i grew up, all Pigeons and Doves were called Doos. A Fantail Dove was a Fantail Doo, a Woodpigeon was a Cuchie(pronounced cushie) Doo etc.
A Dooman is a Pigeon Fancier, someone who breeds, shows or races these birds."

 

• Collared Dove
• Streptopelia decaocto
• WI: Uncommon resident breeder (10-99 breeding pairs)
• Medium-sized dove. Small-headed. Tail long & elegant. Back & wings grey-brown. Pinkish-grey head & underparts. Side of neck has white-edged black collar. Flight shows white band on end of tail. Bill black. Feet & legs pinkish-red. Juvenile intially has no neck mark, & plumage is browner & duller than adult's.

 

Our Collared Dove photographs

Collared Dove	Collared Dove adult & juvenile

 

Collared Dove records in the Western Isles

Uncommon resident breeder (10-99 breeding pairs)
Source: Outer Hebrides Bird Report (2001)

First reported in the Western Isles in 1960

On the chart below the darker the shade of blue the more abundant the bird is during a month or the more likely you are to see it.

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

(Source: Outer Hebrides Birds Checklist)

 

 

Other local bird photographs

Sources of information for the bird sightings section

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