The Great Escape: How a Bahamas Vacation Ended Up in Michigan for the Eurasian Collared Dove
Those charming little plump pigeons you see around Michigan, cooing softly and looking all innocent? Turns out, they weren't always here. The Eurasian Collared Dove, with its distinctive black neckband, landed in Michigan thanks to a series of events more befitting a feathered James Bond than a nature documentary.
From Pet Shop to Paradise (Almost)
Believe it or not, the Eurasian Collared Dove's North American adventure began in the Bahamas. In the mid-1970s, a flock of these doves were chilling in a pet shop, most likely dreaming of fruity cocktails and endless beaches. Then, drama struck! The pet shop was burglarized, and several doves – the masterminds, no doubt – used the opportunity to make a break for freedom.
Here's where the story takes a turn. The shop owner, perhaps feeling guilty about the break-in or maybe just relieved to be rid of the early morning cooing, decided to release the rest of the flock. Talk about a feathered jailbreak!
These freed doves, with their adventurous spirits and a taste for freedom, thrived in the Bahamas. But paradise wasn't big enough for all of them, and soon they set their sights on new horizons.
From Islands to Interstate: The Collared Doves Take Flight
Sometime in the late 1970s, these Bahamas-based doves, possibly inspired by Hemingway, decided to head to Florida. Maybe they craved the finer things in life – sunshine, palm trees, and all the discarded French fries a vacationer could drop.
From Florida, it was like a feathered Lewis and Clark expedition. They spread north, colonizing new territories with surprising speed. By the late 1990s, they'd reached Michigan, ready to trade palm trees for evergreens and swap beaches for backyards.
So, there you have it. The Eurasian Collared Dove's arrival in Michigan is a story of burglary, liberation, and avian wanderlust. They may not have been planning on a permanent stay, but Michigan's plentiful bird feeders and relaxed attitude towards cooing seem to have convinced them otherwise.
Who knew a little Bahamas vacation could lead to a permanent residency in Michigan?
How Eurasian Collared Doves Became Michiganders: FAQ
How to identify a Eurasian Collared Dove? Easy! Look for a plump, grayish bird with a black neckband and a mournful coo.
How are they different from regular pigeons? Eurasian Collared Doves are smaller, shyer, and have a longer tail than pigeons.
How do they benefit Michigan? They're pretty birds to look at, and they help control insect populations.
How do they impact Michigan? Some people view them as invasive because they compete with native birds for food and nesting sites.
How to attract a Eurasian Collared Dove to your backyard? Put out a bird feeder with seeds and grains. They might just become your feathered companions!
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
