Ed,

Eurasian Collared-Dove are prolific breeders capable of nesting just about any time of the year in Western Washington. They could easily raise FOUR BROODS of 2 squab each in our area, and maybe more. In the Carnation area I saw just fledged birds in March at the earliest and around Nov 1 at the latest. They are different than our native Mourning Dove in that they frequently use house eaves, ledges, and other man made structures on which to build their typical flimsy stick nest lined with grass, moss, or even nothing. They also frequent feeders and nest in suburban yards near food sources, typically building nests in evergreens on brandh forks. Birds are capable of breeding at 4-6 months of age, but are most productive after 1 year. This invasive species has the capability of overwhelming our native doves - Mourning and White-Winged Doves in particuar use similar habitats and reproduce at a slower pace. How fast does the population grow? ECDO can go from egg laying to flight in 33-36 days depending upon conditions - they are capable of feeding on their own at about 28-30 days after egg laying. Typical incubation time is 17 days and it takes them 16-19 days to fledge after hatching. Hope you get some great data about the population here.

Rob

Rob Conway
Camas, WA
45.58?N 122.44?W - elevation 310 ft.
robin_birder at hotmail.com








From: edswan at centurytel.net
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:41:08 -0700
Subject: [Tweeters] When do Eurasian Collared-Doves start nesting in Washington?





I?d like to watch in an area on Vashon to see if we can confirm breeding this year.

Ed



Ed Swan

Guide
Birding Vashon Island and Beyond
206.463.7976
mailto:edswan at centurytel.net



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