Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) Usurps Nest of American Robins (Turdus migratorius)

Interspecific nest usurpation was observed when a Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) took over the nest of an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in Plainview, Hale County, Texas in April 2014. The nest was constructed and occupied by an American Robin, briefly shared by a Eurasian Collared-Dove over a period of 3 days, and then aggressively taken over by the collared-dove. The collared-dove pair fledged two young in May 2014. This represents a first record of interspecific nest usurpation by Eurasian Collared-Dove. Interspecific nest piracy by this invasive species has implications for songbird conservation if the behavior proves to be frequent.