ID Keys: Grayish overall with back and wings coverts of chestnut and
black, white and black striping on nape, black tail with white edge
The
European Turtle Dove is normally found throughout most of Europe, eastward
through far western China. The species had been an extremely rare
vagrant to Iceland, but starting in the 1960s, sightings there began to
increase. Along with other dove and pigeon species, they've shown a
tendency to sometimes wander long distances, yet when individual birds were
found in southern Florida in April of 1990, and in Newfoundland in May
2001, the species' status in North America was still considered uncertain.
European Turtle-Doves are not commonly kept as caged birds, but for these
first two occurrences, it could not be discounted that they represented
escapees from captivity. In July of 2001, another European Turtle-Dove
was found on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. The bird had been hit by a
vehicle but the body was clearly identifiable as a European Turtle-Dove.
Based on the previous two sightings in the North American region, the fact
that species has been known to sometimes wander far from its normal range,
and the increasing sightings in Iceland, the American Birding Association
officially added European Turtle-Dove to the checklist of North American
birds.
Habitat
Found in a variety of semi-open habitats, including agricultural land with scattered hedgerows and brush, open grassy areas with scattered shrubs and trees, and forest and woodland edges and clearings. They avoid unbroken forest or other areas of dense continuous vegetative cover. They are well adapted to a human presence in some areas and can be found in suburban parks and green spaces.
Diet
The European Turtle Dove feeds primarily on seeds from wild plants, grasses, weeds, and agricultural crops. It forages mostly on the ground, searching for small seeds in fields, meadows, and open countryside. During the breeding season, it may occasionally consume small insects and other invertebrates, but plant material makes up the vast majority of its diet.
Behavior
The European Turtle Dove is a shy and relatively secretive species that often remains hidden in dense trees, hedgerows, and shrubs. It typically forages on the ground in open fields and meadows, either alone, in pairs, or in small flocks. During the breeding season, males perform display flights and perch conspicuously while giving their characteristic purring calls to attract mates and defend territories.
Nesting
The nest of a European Turtle-Dove is a simple platform of sticks, lined with softer materials such as grasses, leaves, and feathers, usually placed fairly close to the ground in a tree or shrub. The female lays 2 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. The young hatch after 12-14 days and are fed by both parents until they fledge from the nest at about 20 days old. In many parts of their range, a mating pair will raise two or even three broods each breeding season.
Song
The European Turtle Dove is known for its soft, purring song, often described as a rhythmic turrr-turrr-turrr. Males frequently deliver this gentle call from exposed perches during the breeding season to attract mates and advertise territory. The species also produces quieter coos and calls used in communication between paired birds and family groups..
Migration
The European Turtle Dove is a long-distance migratory species. It breeds across Europe and parts of western Asia, then migrates south to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. Most migration occurs at night, with birds traveling through the Mediterranean region in spring and autumn as they move between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Similar in overall structure and size to several other pigeon and dove species, but the distinctive plumage makes the European Turtle-Dove easily recognizable if seen well. The only species it would likely to be confused with is the very similar Oriental Turtle-Dove . In North America, both are extremely rare vagrants. However, the European Turtle-Dove has only been seen on the far eastern edge of North America, while the Oriental Turtle-Dove has only been seen on the far western edge. Range can thus be used to help differentiate the two species when they do make their extremely rare appearances in North America.
Conservation Status
European Turtle-Doves are found across an extremely wide area in Eurasia, from far western Europe eastward all the way through western China. However, they have declined precipitously in recent decades. Loss of nesting habitat is undoubtedly one major cause of the decline, partly due to expanded agricultural land use in parts of its range, as well as changes in agricultural management practices such as removal of formerly beneficial hedgerows. Disease may also play a role as they are susceptible to some parasitic infestations. The birds are also heavily hunted in parts of their range. Given the high rate of decline in recent decades and the assessment of continued threats in the future, in 2015 the IUCN upgraded the status of the European Turtle-Dove from a species of "Least Concern" to a species that is now considered "vulnerable" .
Photo Information
Photo by Vil Sandi - licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License
