This dove is originally from Bulgaria, but in 1974 a group of 50 collared doves escaped captivity in the Bahamas. The invasive species rapidly spread north into Mexico and all across the United States. The U.S. population of Eurasian Collared Doves was estimated to be 400,000 as of 2020, and growing at 37 percent a year.
It is distinguished from the American Mourning Dove by the horizontal stripe (collar) on the back of its neck and their crow-like cackle. Their song is similar to the mourning dove, but has a faster rhythm.