LEYS HN (1964) The occurrence of the Collared Turtle Dove (Streptopelia decaocto in the Netherlands. LIMOSA 37 (3): 232-263.

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto The author gives a short review of the expansion of the Collared Turtle Dove') in Europe and Asia (fig. 1 and fig. 2). The area of distribution of Streptopelia decaocto (Friv.) is given in figure 3. Several geographical races of this species are distinguished. They are mentioned in chapter 3 in which also the distribution of these races is given. In the Netherlands Streptopelia decaocto was observed for the first time in Gasselte (Province of Drente) in 1947. It lasted till 1949 to 1950 before the species started breeding in the Netherlands. For the annual expansion and distribution in the Netherlands see fig. 4 and fig. 5. A list of the municipalities arranged in the order of the years in which the first nesting pair(s) were observed is mentioned in Chapter 6. The Collared Turtle Dove is a true example of a follower of human culture. In the Netherlands the birds are most common in the built up areas of villages with plenty of evergreens, shrubs, dense trees etc. The annual number of hatches of one pair is mostly 2 to 5. There is a strong correlation with the kind of soil. Of the total number of observed nesting pairs, the density of the population is highest on the very dry sandy soils; On comparatively wet sandy soils, as well as on the reclaimed peat subsoils the density of the population is decreasing. On chalk and loamy soils it is even lower, whereas on the light or medium textured marine soils the species is scarcely present. On the heavy marine soils, the low peat soils, and the river clay and loam soils, the species does not occur at all or is very rare indeed. (See table 4). The number of nesting pairs in 1963 for each municipality is given in figure 9 and the calculated density by interpolation of nesting pairs for the total area of the Netherlands in figure 10. The strong correlation with the soil is not a direct relation but an indirect one, because each soil has its own typical landscape. These landscapes appear to be partly more, partly less suitable and imporant as habitats, for the Collared Turtle Dove. The species also occurs very often in places where much food is available, for instance near henneries, duckyards, grain mills, silos etc. In winter most birds leave their breedinggrounds and great numbers of Collared Turtle Doves gather in such places. Many birds are roosting in community in granaries, chickenhouses, etc. but they are also roosting in great numbers on sheltered places as evergreens, dense trees etc., especially so in winter. In 1963 the number of breeding pairs was estimated at about 5300, whereas the total population in the winter of 1963/1964 was about 20.000 to 30.000 individuals (see table 6, 7 and table 8). The maximum population in the Netherlands has not been reached yet. The increase is still about 30% per annum (fig. 6, 7 and fig. 8). A constant level will possibly be reached between 1970 and 1975, but this is a rather dangerous prognosis, because the adaptability of these birds is not fully known at present. Preliminary data indicate that the increase of the population of these doves is caused: a. By offspring of birds breeding in the Netherlands. b. Probably also by birds coming in from surrounding countries. The banding research did not give enough data yet to get more precise conclusions. The author is very grateful to the 200 odd observers, who sent him their data.

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