The Bahamas boast an impressive array of wild native doves including the Caribbean Dove and White-crowned Pigeon. The various islands also support more adaptable civilized species like Mourning Dove, Common Ground-Dove, and Rock Pigeon. But one columbiform has clearly conquered the rest; at least in the Nassau area, the Eurasian Collared-Dove reigns supreme.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopeleia decaocto is one of the most active invasive bird species of our day. As its name implies, this collared-dove is a native of Eurasia, specifically Turkey and the Indian subcontinent. At the beginning of the 20th century, this species started to expand its range. It already had a foothold in the Balkans and Middle East but it moved further westward into the rest of Europe, jumping over to the British Isles where it is considered one of the most common British birds. Its range on that continent extends as far east as the Iberian Peninsula, west to Russia, and north to Scandinavian points above the Arctic Circle.

The Eurasian Collared-Dove may be able to handle the cold, but it thrives in warm, even tropical climes as well. A flock of the doves were released (accidentally, like so many other invasives) into the Bahamian ecosystem in the 1970s. From there, it was a short hop to Florida. Now the bird has been spotted in 22 US states and shows no sign of stopping. Not bad for a non-migratory bird!

This dove shares a distinguishing mark, a black collar around the nape that does not extend all the way around the neck, with the Ringed Turtle-Dove. However, the Eurasian dove is much larger. Streptopeleia decaocto is a silky gray with a pearlescent wash from neck to belly, slightly olive over wings and back. Its long broad tail is black near the rump but displays a telltale white fan in flight. So learn to love the vapidly attractive face of the Eurasian Collared-Dove, because chances are that, no matter where you live, you might be seeing it soon.

For a look at more Bahamian birds, enjoy our Bahamas trip report.