Georgia · Year-round resident

Eurasian Collared-Doves in Georgia

When Eurasian doves are present in Georgia, when they nest, which native Georgia plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 7a–9a yard.

Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto

Status in Georgia: Year-round resident
Nesting window: February–September
Broods: 3–6 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 7a–9a

When to expect Eurasian doves in Georgia

Eurasian Collared-Doves live in Georgia all year. Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.

Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.

Nesting in Georgia

Across Georgia, Eurasian doves typically nest from February–September. Nest site: flimsy twig platform on buildings or trees. Females lay 2 eggs, incubate for 14–18 days, and young leave the nest after 15–19 days.

Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.

Eurasian Collared-Doves don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as sugar maple, red maple for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after September.

Native Georgia plants that attract Eurasian doves

Of the regional native plants we track for Georgia, these 7 provide food or cover Eurasian doves use:

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Seed heads in fall.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Sugar maple

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Red maple

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Feeding Eurasian doves through the Georgia year

Introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s, it reached nearly every state by 2010.

Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn, Sunflower.
In Georgia's winter: Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.

Full diet breakdown for Eurasian doves · Best feeder for Eurasian doves

Frequently asked

Are Eurasian doves in Georgia year-round?

Yes. Eurasian Collared-Doves are year-round residents in Georgia.

When do Eurasian doves nest in Georgia?

Nesting in Georgia typically runs February–September, with 3–6 per season. Clutches are 2 eggs, incubated for 14–18 days.

What native plants attract Eurasian doves in Georgia?

Black-eyed Susan, Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in Georgia that provide food or cover for Eurasian doves.

Other backyard birds in Georgia

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird House Sparrow European Starling Rufous Hummingbird White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.