Eurasian collared dove

noun

variants or Eurasian collared-dove

: collared dove sense 1

In fact, an invasive dove called the Eurasian collared dove is flourishing in many urban areas, and they may be attracting Cooper's hawks.

—Gary Clark, Houston Chronicle, 21 June 2008

In your backyard this winter, you might be sheltering invaders, Eurasian collared-doves, whose ancestors escaped during a Bahamian pet shop burglary in the 1970s and flew on to colonize much of North America.

—Nancy J. White, Toronto Star, 15 Feb. 2013

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!