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European Turtle Dove
(Streptopelia turtur)
 German name(s): "Turteltaube"
Size: 24-29 cm; wing span 47-55 cm
Weight: 85-170 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
European Turtle Doves are small doves.
The plumage
of both sexes is indistinguishable in the field.
The front, from chin to chest, is pinkish-blue-grey.
The upper belly has a faint cinnamon band across it,
while the lower belly, vent and undertail coverts are
off-white to light-grey. The head and the nape of the
neck are grey, except for their eye-rings, which are
brown. On the sides of the neck they have black and
white striped patches. The wings have grey shoulder
patches, dark-grey flight feathers and orange-brown
coverts with dark-grey centres, creating a boldly
scalloped pattern (the brightest of all Eurasian
doves of the genus Streptopelia).
The irises are orange. The bill is dark-grey; the legs
and feet are dark greyish-pink.
Juvenile
birds have duller colours than adults, basically
in various shades of grey, with a lighter-grey front than
the back.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See European
Turtle Dove at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the European Turtle Dove is available
HERE
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As opposed to most other species of pigeons or doves,
which are either sedentary or only partly migratory,
European Turtle Doves are a strongly migratory species.
Their breeding range encompasses parts of northern Africa
(mostly the North-west and the Nile valley), most of Europe
(except the northernmost parts), Asia Minor, near-coastal
areas of the Middle East and further eastward into south-western
and central Asia. They all spend the northern summers in southern
parts of Africa.
In Europe European Turtle Doves are found only as breeding
migrants. Their range encompasses almost the entire continent,
EXCEPT the highest parts of major mountain ranges and the
far North, i.e. Wales, northern England, Scotland, Ireland,
northern Scandinavia and northern European Russia. They are
also present on the Mediterranean islands.
European Turtle Doves have a preference for open woodland
with clearings or interspersed open areas for feeding.
Although usually quite timid, some
European Turtle Doves tolerate the proximity of humans
and will enter the quiet parts of parks and gardens.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
S. Cuturilov reports spotting European Turtle Doves near Kursumlija,
South-east Serbia, in June 2016.
J. Pires reports finding an European
Turtle Dove at Vilarelhos, Tras os Montes, Portugal, in May 2018.
More European Turtle Doves were found in Mora, Evora, Portugal,
and in Varzea Redonda, Alandroal, Portugal, in June 2019.
G. Normand found an European
Turtle Dove at Nieppe, Hauts-de-France, France, in May 2021.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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PAIR |
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Pair of European Turtle Doves, with the cock on the left, trying to
impress the hen on the right (photo courtesy of S. Cuturilov)
[Near Kursumlija, South-east Serbia, June 2016]
Near-lateral view of an European Turtle Dove
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, June 2019]
Lateral view of an European Turtle Dove
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, June 2019]
Near-dorsal view of an European Turtle Dove
(photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Nieppe, Hauts-de-France, France, May 2021]
Distant lateral view of an European Turtle Dove in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Varzea Redonda, Alandroal, Portugal, June 2019]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of an European Turtle Dove in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Varzea Redonda, Alandroal, Portugal, June 2019]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
