RANGE EXTENSION OF THE COMMON GROUND- DOVE INTO SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA

Abstract

Recent sightings of Common Ground-Doves (Columbina passerina) in Santa Barbara County and especially Ventura County, California, indicate that this dove is less rare in those counties than previously thought. This apparent change in status may not be due to inadequate past coverage, but rather may reflect a population increase caused by relatively recent changes in agricultural practices and dramatic increases in avocado acreage in Ventura and southern Santa Barbara counties.