I used to hear/see ECDs regularly for several years on Bolton Rd-Marietta Blvd. and on LaDawn Lane in NW Atlanta. Had one in the yard ONCE. However, this year, I have not heard any coo coo cupping.

Liz Horsey erhorsey@comcast.net NW Atlanta, Fulton Co.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Eran Tomer" <erantomer@GMAIL.COM> To: GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 7:52:31 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Eurasian Collared-Doves in Fulton

In 2006 I saw one Eurasian Collared-Dove in Sandy Springs, Fulton Co., south of Roswell (northern Atlanta). In 2008, one in Midtown Atlanta along Piedmont Road (DeKalb Co.). There have been other reports of this species in the Atlanta area and it may be present regularly where grain is available, e.g. pastures, silos and railroad tracks. This species has spread in `leapfrog' fashion elsewhere so the above sightings seemed to herald a major expansion. However, this has not happened to date here.

Would anyone know whether the population in Bartow County has expanded in recent years, and to what extent ?  Or the one near Rome ? (There was a report of a colony a while ago).

In the Southeast, at least, Eurasian Collared-Dove seems to be different enough ecologically so as not to compete with native birds. Its expansion westwards might be a different story because some of those habitats are very similar to its native ones.

But this species is difficult to understand. In the Old World it is present - near human settlements - in places that are very different from its original environment. At the same time, it has a spotty distribution in other locations that appear to be far more similar to it, e.g. in Spain and the Middle East. The mechanisms behind its expansion there are still largely undetermined, as far as I know. My guess is that its distribution and movements are closely linked to biological factors - like population density and even local, relatively rapid selection (for physiological and/or behavioral adaptations) - rather than strictly to environmental conditions. There may be room for fascinating research with this species.

Best regards,

- Eran Tomer   Atlanta, GA

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