Dietary Overlap and Foraging Competition Between Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared-Doves

Abstract

The recent Eurasian collared‐dove (Streptopelia decaocto, hereafter collared‐dove) invasion of North America has raised concerns regarding its effects on native species, particularly mourning doves (Zenaida macroura). Our goal was to assess the potential for, and possible consequences of, foraging competition between mourning doves and collared‐doves. We compared diet selection and measured degree of dietary overlap between the 2 dove species in a captive cafeteria experiment, and we measured aggression and competitive ability of these species in 3 captive competition experiments. We evaluated the effects of body size, temperature, and food distribution on aggression and competitive ability of both species, and we measured intraspecific aggression levels and competitive ability within each species. We found a high degree of dietary overlap between species; food preferences were similar between species, and Pianka's index of foraging‐niche overlap was 0.95. Neither aggression nor competitive ability varied between species, however. Distribution of food in cafeteria experiments did not affect seed‐preference results. Ambient temperature and body size of competitors had little effects on aggression or competitive ability of either species. Distribution of food in the environment affected aggression between species, however; aggression was greater in single (0.50 ± 0.10 interactions/min) than in multiple‐patch (0.12 ± 0.02 interactions/min) trials. Collared‐doves do not appear behaviorally more aggressive or competitively successful than mourning doves. Our results suggest that the potential for negative effects of collared‐doves on mourning dove populations may be less than previously suspected, so control measures for collared doves may be unnecessary. However, competitive dynamics involving larger flocks of collared‐doves and other potentially limiting resources must be considered. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 70(4):998–1004; 2006)

The rapid spread of invasive Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto in the continental USA follows human‐altered habitats

“…Studies of the environmental factors related to exotic invasions can assist in predicting invasion trajectories and potential impacts on native communities. Whereas relatively little attention has been paid to the impacts of Collared Dove invasions on native species, potentially negative interactions have been reported (Poling & Hayslette 2006). Further studies are required to understand the ecological impacts of this successful invader on native species.…”

An international borderland of concern: Conservation of biodiversity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

“…Eurasian collared doves were first seen in the LRGV in 1998 (Brush, 2005(Brush, , 2008a and are of concern due to their explosive population patterns as they spread from release sites in Florida in the late 1970s, and their potential to outcompete native doves (Poling and Hayslette, 2006). Two parrots, Aratinga holochlora (green parakeet; fig.…”

Threats from introduced birds to native birds

“…Twelve articles reported competition for food between native birds and six introduced species: Common Myna (4 articles), Common Starling (2), Eurasian Collared Dove (2), Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonica; 2), Great Kiskadee (1) and Rainbow Lorikeet (1) ( Table S1). There was strong evidence for a lack of competition in interactions with the Eurasian Collared Dove (Poling and Hayslette 2006). There was strong evidence that competition with the Japanese White-eye for food is a threat to small native birds in Hawaii but not in the Bonin Islands (Table 1; see 'Evidence for threats involving introduced species', below).…”