Barbary Doves in Selwyn District

[RandF]

Yesterday I saw a Barbary Dove (African Collared Dove) at the intersection on Waterholes Road and Springston Rolleston Road in Selwyn District (-43.630055, 172.430781). This sighting is a fair distance from an established population further up Waterholes Road at -43.571507, 172.461195

I wonder if they are establishing a viable breeding population in Canterbury similar to the Spotted Dove population?

[Jan]

Barbary doves have been kept as domestics around that area and escaped to be seen on powerlines fairly frequently. Springston cemetery is a favourite spot for them, I think they breed somewhere near there, but other birders may know more.

[RandF]

Thanks Jan. The population at the northern end of Waterholes Road was at Kiwiflora Nurseries - when we owned the business we saw fledglings being fed most years, so defintitely breeding there.

[andrewcrossland]

Yes, I think they are definitely establishing a wild population - 1 on a powerline in Wards Road, early evening on 27 Jan.

IMG_1572.JPG (255.68 KiB) Viewed 662 times

This is the current ebird map showing the 4 main populations - around Charing Cross, Leeston area, Marshlands and Rangiora. The Akaroa reports may refer to domestic white doves or some escaped barbary doves, reports there need verification as to whether there's actually a population present.

Screenshot 2024-02-06 121352.jpg (223.54 KiB) Viewed 650 times

[NoahF]

I saw two Barbary doves on Courtenay Road this evening, with Spotted doves.

[Hypno]

Pair seen Selwyn road Rolleston, easter weekend

[andrewcrossland]

Please remember folks to put any Barbary or Spotted Doves seen in Canterbury on ebird. cheers