Eurasian collared-doves (ECDO) first arrived in the United States in Florida in 1986. Due to its rapid expansion rate, 31 states have since documented its presence. Wildlife managers know little about the ecology of this nonindigenous species in the United States, or if the ECDO is a competitor of the native mourning dove. Studies will take place in semi-urban and urban environments to determine territorial, nesting and feeding habits of the ECDO. Population surveys, mark-recapture techniques, and radio-telemetry will be used to identify and evaluate niche overlap between the two dove species. This study is funded by federal aid dollars through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

M.S., Western Illinois University 2005
B.S., Gannon University 2000