Euro-Collared Doves

Spring has sprung, and love is in the air!

Two Euro-Collared (or Eurasian Collared) Doves engage in nest building. The one on the left looks on as the other does the actual construction. I couldn't say if they will switch jobs at all during its construction.

Euro-Collared Doves constructing their nest.

[Addendum: This nest was subsequently taken over and used by Mississippi Kites, above.]

Doves

Many people confuse the three varieties of doves we have here - the Euro-Collared, the White Winged, and the Mourning doves. The two here are more similar than they are to its cousin, the Mourning Dove. I managed to get a good side-by-side comparison shot of two of them this morning: the Euro-Collared and the White Winged doves.

Euro-Collared Dove (L) and White Winged Dove (R).

It's easy to see the differences here. While both have red eyes and very similar overall coloring, the Euro-Collared dove lacks the white edge of the wing, as well as the vivid blue "eyeliner" of its counterpart. The White Winged dove only has a small black cheek mark, as opposed to the collar around the back of the neck. These differ from the Mourning Dove that is characterized by its general coverage of black spots. From my observations, the Euro-Collared dove emits a kind of a low-key "scream" right before, or as it lands on its perch. The White Winged dove is generally silent as it lands. Both doves do have the characteristic "coo-ing" sounds.
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Euro-Collared Dove

Here is another view of the Euro-Collared Dove (also called the Eurasian Collared Dove). You can see more info about them HERE in another one of my blog posts.

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Eurasian Collared Dove

This dove's call is the typically soothing, "coo-COO-coo!" It is characterized by the pale gray overall color and distinct black collar around the back of its neck. They can breed up to six times a year in warmer climates. Eurasian Collared Doves dine on grain and seeds, and are common feeder visitors. See also this blog post.

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