European Turtle Dove
Streptopelia turtur
The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a common doves and pigeon found in 104 countries, weighing about 132 g. The European turtle dove is a threatened or vulnerable member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons.
About the European Turtle Dove
The European turtle dove is a threatened or vulnerable member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. It breeds over a wide area of the south western Palearctic including north Africa but migrates to northern sub-Saharan Africa to winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other doves. It measures 26–28 cm (10–11 in) in length, has a wingspan of 47–53 cm (19–21 in) and weighs 100–156 g (3.5–5.5 oz). It can be recognised by its brown colouring and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. When the bird flies from the observer, the tail is notable as it is wedge-shaped with a dark centre and white borders and tips. When viewed from below, the pattern, due to the white under-tail coverts obscuring the dark bases, resembles a blackish chevron on a white background.
What the European Turtle Dove sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Mongolia, South Africa, India, Eritrea, Seychelles, Uganda.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a European Turtle Dove?
- The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other doves. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a European Turtle Dove?
- The European Turtle Dove is a medium sized bird weighing about 132 g.
- Where can you see a European Turtle Dove?
- The European Turtle Dove occurs in 104 countries, including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel and Portugal.
- What does a European Turtle Dove sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the European Turtle Dove on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a European Turtle Dove?
- The European Turtle Dove is most easily confused with the Red Collared Dove, the Red-eyed Dove and the Oriental Turtle Dove.
- Is the European Turtle Dove endangered?
- The European Turtle Dove is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the European Turtle Dove for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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