European turtle dove: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Threatened or vulnerable species of bird}}
{{Short description|Threatened or vulnerable species of bird}} {{For|other species called turtle doves|Streptopelia}}
{{For|other species called turtle doves|Streptopelia}}
{{distinguish|text=the species formerly considered turtle doves, [[Spotted Dove]]}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = European turtle dove
| name = European turtle dove
| image = Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur turtur) Hungary.jpg
| image = Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur turtur) Hungary.jpg
| image2 = European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) (W STREPTOPELIA TURTUR R2 C3).ogg
| image2 = European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) (W STREPTOPELIA TURTUR R2 C3).ogg
| image2_caption = An adult in [[Hungary]] and song<br>recorded in [[Hampshire]], England
| image2_caption = An adult in [[Hungary]] and song<br />recorded in [[Hampshire]], England
| status = VU
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref =<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |year=2019 |title=''Streptopelia turtur'' |page=e.T22690419A154373407 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22690419A154373407.en |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>
| status_ref =<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |year=2019 |title=''Streptopelia turtur'' |article-number=e.T22690419A154373407 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22690419A154373407.en |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>
| genus = Streptopelia
| genus = Streptopelia
| species = turtur
| species = turtur
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* ''S. t. rufescens'' ([[Christian Ludwig Brehm|Brehm, CL]], 1845) – Egypt and northern Sudan
* ''S. t. rufescens'' ([[Christian Ludwig Brehm|Brehm, CL]], 1845) – Egypt and northern Sudan


Despite the identical spelling, the "turtle" of the name, derived from Middle English {{Lang|enm|turtle}} ({{lang|enm|tortle}}, {{lang|enm|turtel}}, {{lang|enm|turtul}}), derived in turn from Old English {{lang|ang|turtla}} (male turtle dove), {{Lang|ang|turtle}} (female turtle dove), and ultimately from Latin {{lang|la|turtur}}, has no connection with the [[turtle|reptile of the same name]]; in the present case, "turtle" came originally from [[Latin]] {{Lang|la|turtur}}, which is [[onomatopoeia|onomatopoeic]], imitating the bird's song.<ref name=OED>{{Cite OED | Turtle}}</ref><ref name=OED2>{{Cite OED | Turtur}}</ref> The genus name ''Streptopelia'' is from [[Ancient Greek]] {{Lang|grc|streptos}} meaning "collar", and {{Lang|grc|peleia}} meaning "dove".{{sfn|Jobling|2010|p=367}}
Despite the identical spelling, the "turtle" of the name has no connection with the [[turtle|reptile of the same name]]; it is ultimately from Latin {{lang|la|turtur}}, which is [[onomatopoeia|onomatopoeic]], imitating the bird's song. From Latin the word was taken into Old English as {{lang|ang|turtla}} (male turtle dove) and {{Lang|ang|turtle}} (female turtle dove), then to Middle English {{Lang|enm|turtle}} ({{lang|enm|tortle}}, {{lang|enm|turtel}}, {{lang|enm|turtul}}), and from there into Modern English.<ref name=OED>{{Cite OED | Turtle}}</ref><ref name=OED2>{{Cite OED | Turtur}}</ref> The genus name ''Streptopelia'' is from [[Ancient Greek]] {{Lang|grc|streptos}} meaning "collar", and {{Lang|grc|peleia}} meaning "dove".{{sfn|Jobling|2010|p=367}}


A few other doves in the genus ''Streptopelia'' and the related genus ''Nesoenas'' are also commonly called "turtle doves", while the name ''[[Turtur]]'' has also been given as a generic name to a less-closely related group of tropical African doves:<ref name=ioc/>
A few other doves in the genus ''Streptopelia'' and the related genus ''Nesoenas'' are also commonly called "turtle doves", while the name ''[[Turtur]]'' has also been given as a generic name to a less-closely related group of tropical African doves:<ref name=ioc/>
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==Description==
==Description==
Smaller and slighter in build than many other [[dove]]s, it measures {{cvt|26|-|28|cm}} in length, {{cvt|47|-|53|cm}} in wingspan and weighs {{cvt|100|-|156|g}}.{{sfn|Cramp|1985|pp=353, 362}} The European turtle dove may be recognised by its browner colour, and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. The tail is notable as the bird flies from the observer; it is wedge-shaped, with a dark centre and white borders and tips. When viewed from below, this pattern, owing to the white under-tail coverts obscuring the dark bases, is a blackish chevron on a white ground. This can be seen when the bird stoops to drink and raises its spread tail.
The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other [[dove]]s. It measures {{cvt|26|-|28|cm}} in length, has a wingspan of {{cvt|47|-|53|cm}} and weighs {{cvt|100|-|156|g}}.{{sfn|Cramp|1985|pp=353, 362}} 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. This can be seen when the bird stoops to drink and raises its spread tail.


The mature bird has the head, neck, flanks, and rump blue-grey, and the wings cinnamon, mottled with black. The breast is vinaceous, the abdomen and under tail coverts are white. The bill is black, the legs and eye rings are red. The black and white patch on the side of the neck is absent in the browner and duller juvenile bird, which also has brown legs.
The mature bird has a blue-grey head, neck, flanks, and rump, and cinnamon-coloured wings that are mottled with black. The breast is vinaceous and the abdomen and undertail coverts are white. Its bill is black and its legs and eye rings are red. The black and white patch on the side of the neck is absent in the browner and duller juvenile bird, which also has brown legs.


<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" mode="packed">
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" mode="packed">
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The turtle dove is a [[bird migration|migratory]] species with a western [[Palearctic]] range covering most of Europe and the Middle East and including [[Turkey]] and [[north Africa]], although it is rare in northern [[Scandinavia]] and [[Russia]]. It winters south of the Sahara.<ref name=IUCN/> It is one of the latest migrants, rarely appearing in Northern Europe before the end of April and returning south again in September.{{sfn|Cramp|1985|p=356}} Turtle doves are rare [[Vagrancy (biology)|vagrants]] in North America, with records from [[Massachusetts]] and [[Florida]] in the [[United States]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Veit |first=R. |date=2009 |title=First Record of European Turtle-Dove (''Streptopelia turtur'') for Massachusetts |url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/First-Record-of-European-Turtle-Dove-turtur%3C-i%3E)-Veit/263821d93a91603e1c4c9d9e3a6ebd130555817a#:~:text=This%20article%20documents%20a%20record%20of%20European,Turde-Dove%20(Streptopelia%20turtur)%20from%20Tuckernuck%20Island,%20Nantucket, |journal=North American Birds |volume=60 |issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hoffman |first=Wayne |last2=Smith |first2=P. William |last3=Wells |first3=Pat |date=1990 |title=A Record of the European Turtle-Dove in the Florida Keys |url=https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/FFN_18-4p88-90Hoffman%5B1%5D.pdf |journal=Florida Field Naturalist |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=88–90}}</ref> and an additional record from [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dunn |first=Jon Lloyd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MKEwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA547 |title=Field Guide to the Birds of North America |date=2017 |publisher=National Geographic Books |isbn=978-1-4262-1835-4 |page=547 |language=en}}</ref>
The turtle dove is a [[bird migration|migratory]] species with a western [[Palearctic]] range covering most of Europe and the Middle East and including [[Turkey]] and [[north Africa]], although it is rare in northern [[Scandinavia]] and [[Russia]]. It winters south of the Sahara.<ref name=IUCN/> It is one of the latest migrants, rarely appearing in Northern Europe before the end of April and returning south again in September.{{sfn|Cramp|1985|p=356}} Turtle doves are rare [[Vagrancy (biology)|vagrants]] in North America, with records from [[Massachusetts]] and [[Florida]] in the [[United States]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Veit |first=R. |date=2009 |title=First Record of European Turtle-Dove (''Streptopelia turtur'') for Massachusetts |url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/First-Record-of-European-Turtle-Dove-turtur%3C-i%3E)-Veit/263821d93a91603e1c4c9d9e3a6ebd130555817a#:~:text=This%20article%20documents%20a%20record%20of%20European,Turde-Dove%20(Streptopelia%20turtur)%20from%20Tuckernuck%20Island,%20Nantucket, |journal=North American Birds |volume=60 |issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hoffman |first=Wayne |last2=Smith |first2=P. William |last3=Wells |first3=Pat |date=1990 |title=A Record of the European Turtle-Dove in the Florida Keys |url=https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/FFN_18-4p88-90Hoffman%5B1%5D.pdf |journal=Florida Field Naturalist |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=88–90}}</ref> and an additional record from [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dunn |first=Jon Lloyd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MKEwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA547 |title=Field Guide to the Birds of North America |date=2017 |publisher=National Geographic Books |isbn=978-1-4262-1835-4 |page=547 |language=en}}</ref>


It is a bird of open rather than dense woodlands, and frequently feeds on the ground. It will occasionally nest in large gardens, but is usually extremely timid, probably due to the heavy hunting pressure it faces during migration. The flight is often described as arrowy, but is not remarkably swift.
This bird prefers open woodlands to dense ones, and often feeds on the ground. Although it occasionally nests in large gardens, it is usually extremely timid, probably due to the heavy hunting pressure it faces during migration. Its flight is often described as arrow-like, but it is not particularly fast.


The nuptial flight, high and circling, is like that of the [[common wood pigeon]], but the undulations are less decided; it is accompanied by the whip-crack of the downward flicked wings. The arrival in spring is heralded by its [[wikt:coo#Verb|coo]]ing or [[purr]]ing song, a rather deep, vibrating "{{Not a typo|''turrr, turrr''}}".
The nuptial flight, high and circling, is like that of the [[common wood pigeon]], but the undulations are less decided; it is accompanied by the whip-crack of the downward flicked wings. The arrival in spring is heralded by its [[wikt:coo#Verb|coo]]ing or [[purr]]ing song, a rather deep, vibrating "{{Not a typo|''turrr, turrr''}}".
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Turtle dove populations are in rapid decline across Europe and this species has a red-listed global conservation status. In the [[United Kingdom]] its numbers have declined by 93% since 1994 and across Europe numbers fell by 78% during the 1980–2013 period.<ref name="bto.org">[https://www.bto.org/about-bto/press-releases/turtle-dove-population-tailspin British Trust for Ornithology - Turtle Dove Population in a Tailspin]</ref>
Turtle dove populations are in rapid decline across Europe and this species has a red-listed global conservation status. In the [[United Kingdom]] its numbers have declined by 93% since 1994 and across Europe numbers fell by 78% during the 1980–2013 period.<ref name="bto.org">[https://www.bto.org/about-bto/press-releases/turtle-dove-population-tailspin British Trust for Ornithology - Turtle Dove Population in a Tailspin]</ref>


Environmentalist groups have attributed the decline of turtle doves in Europe partly to changes in farming practices which mean that the weed seeds and shoots on which it feeds, especially [[fumitory]], are scarcer, and partly due to shooting of birds in [[Mediterranean]] countries. According to a 2001 study cited by the European Commission, between two and four million birds are shot annually in Malta, Cyprus, France, Italy, Spain and Greece.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scientists warn of impending turtle dove British extinction|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/lifestyle/environment/48705/scientists_warn_of_impending_turtle_dove_british_extinction#.VTT0-md0yUk|access-date=20 April 2015|work=Malta Today}}</ref><ref>Lutz, Marc (2007) [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/turtle_dove.pdf#22 MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (''Streptopelia turtur'') 2007–2009]. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 22.</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2025}} Environmentalists have described spring hunting in Malta as particularly problematic as it is the only country with an EU [[derogation]] to shoot birds during their spring migration to breeding grounds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malta votes in referendum on controversial spring shooting of migrating birds|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/malta/11529741/Malta-votes-in-referendum-on-controversial-spring-shooting-of-migrating-birds.html|access-date=20 April 2015|work=Daily Telegraph|agency=Reuters}}</ref>
Environmentalist groups have attributed the decline of turtle doves in Europe to two main factors: changes in farming practices which have led to a decrease in the availability of weed seeds and shoots mean that the weed seeds and shoots, especially [[fumitory]], on which the birds feed; and the shooting of birds in [[Mediterranean]] countries. According to a 2001 study cited by the European Commission, between two and four million turtle doves are shot annually in Malta, Cyprus, France, Italy, Spain and Greece.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scientists warn of impending turtle dove British extinction|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/lifestyle/environment/48705/scientists_warn_of_impending_turtle_dove_british_extinction#.VTT0-md0yUk|access-date=20 April 2015|work=Malta Today}}</ref><ref>Lutz, Marc (2007) [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/turtle_dove.pdf#22 MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (''Streptopelia turtur'') 2007–2009]. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 22.</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2025}} Environmentalists have described spring hunting in Malta as particularly problematic as it is the only country with an EU [[derogation]] to shoot birds during their spring migration to breeding grounds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malta votes in referendum on controversial spring shooting of migrating birds|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/malta/11529741/Malta-votes-in-referendum-on-controversial-spring-shooting-of-migrating-birds.html|access-date=20 April 2015|work=Daily Telegraph|agency=Reuters}}</ref>


According to a 2007 study by the [[European Commission]], four currently identifiable potential threats to the turtle dove are (1) [[habitat loss]]/modification (medium to low impact), (2) [[drought]]s and [[climate change]] (mostly unknown but likely low impact), (3) [[hunting]] (partly unknown but overall medium impact), and (4) competition with the [[eurasian collared dove|collared dove]] (unknown impact).<ref>Lutz, Marc (2007) [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/turtle_dove.pdf#22 MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (''Streptopelia turtur'') 2007–2009]. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 20.</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2025}} The [[British Trust for Ornithology]] has also highlighted [[Trichomonosis]] parasites as a threat to the turtle dove.<ref name="bto.org"/>
According to a 2007 study by the [[European Commission]], four currently identifiable potential threats to the turtle dove are (1) [[habitat loss]]/modification (medium to low impact), (2) [[drought]]s and [[climate change]] (mostly unknown but likely low impact), (3) [[hunting]] (partly unknown but overall medium impact), and (4) competition with the [[eurasian collared dove|collared dove]] (unknown impact).<ref>Lutz, Marc (2007) [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/turtle_dove.pdf#22 MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (''Streptopelia turtur'') 2007–2009]. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 20.</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2025}} The [[British Trust for Ornithology]] has also highlighted [[Trichomonosis]] parasites as a threat to the turtle dove.<ref name="bto.org"/>


A temporary hunting ban was recommended in 2021 by the European Commission and enforced in the western Mediterranean countries of France, Spain and Portugal, which resulted in the species starting to undergo population recovery; in summer 2024, there was a 25% increase in the western European breeding population, indicating that hunting was indeed a major contributor to the decline. <ref name="OTD">{{cite web |title=Big news – Turtle Dove numbers in Western Europe are on the up! |url=https://www.operationturtledove.org/2024/08/08/big-news-turtle-dove-numbers-in-western-europe-are-on-the-up/ |website=Operation Turtle Dove |publisher=Operation Turtle Dove in partnership with the RSPB, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Natural England |access-date=2024-08-11}}</ref>
In 2021, the European Commission recommended a temporary hunting ban, which was enforced in the western Mediterranean countries of France, Spain and Portugal. This resulted in the species starting to undergo population recovery: in summer 2024, the western European breeding population increased by 25%, indicating that hunting was indeed a major contributor to the initial decline.<ref name="OTD">{{cite web |title=Big news – Turtle Dove numbers in Western Europe are on the up! |url=https://www.operationturtledove.org/2024/08/08/big-news-turtle-dove-numbers-in-western-europe-are-on-the-up/ |website=Operation Turtle Dove |publisher=Operation Turtle Dove in partnership with the RSPB, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Natural England |access-date=2024-08-11}}</ref>
Populations in central and eastern European breeding grounds, however, have continued to decline as hunting continued in these areas, albeit on a smaller scale.
Populations in central and eastern European breeding grounds, however, have continued to decline as hunting continued in these areas, albeit on a smaller scale.
<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carboneras |first1=Carles |last2=Šilarová |first2=Eva |last3=Škorpilová |first3=Jana|last4=Arroyo|first4=Beatriz|date=2024 |title=Rapid population response to a hunting ban in a previously overharvested, threatened landbird |url=https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/conl.13057|journal=Conservation Letters |volume=17|publisher=Wiley |pages=e13057 |doi=10.1111/conl.13057 |access-date=18 June 2025|doi-access=free }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carboneras |first1=Carles |last2=Šilarová |first2=Eva |last3=Škorpilová |first3=Jana|last4=Arroyo|first4=Beatriz|date=2024 |title=Rapid population response to a hunting ban in a previously overharvested, threatened landbird |url=https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/conl.13057|journal=Conservation Letters |volume=17|publisher=Wiley |article-number=e13057 |doi=10.1111/conl.13057 |access-date=18 June 2025|doi-access=free }}</ref>


This recommendation was lifted in April 2025 over the western flyway, with restrictions on the number of birds allowed to be taken, as the agreed conditions required to resume hunting had been met.
This recommendation was lifted in April 2025 over the western flyway, with restrictions on the number of birds allowed to be taken, as the agreed conditions required to resume hunting had been met.
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According to [[Claudius Aelianus|Aelian]], the turtle dove was sacred to [[Demeter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/DemeterTreasures.html|title=DEMETER ESTATE & ATTRIBUTES – Greek Mythology}}</ref>  In [[Roman mythology]], the turtle dove was one of the emblems of [[Fides (deity)|Fides]], the goddess of trust and good faith.<ref name="peck">{{cite book|author=Harry Thurston Peck |date=1898 |title=Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities |chapter=Fides (2) |chapter-url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DF%3Aentry+group%3D3%3Aentry%3Dfides2-harpers |access-date=2015-12-21 |location=New York |publisher=Harper and Brothers}}</ref><ref name="smith">{{DGRBM|author=LS |title=Fides |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DF%3Aentry+group%3D3%3Aentry%3Dfides-bio-1}}</ref>
According to [[Claudius Aelianus|Aelian]], the turtle dove was sacred to [[Demeter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/DemeterTreasures.html|title=DEMETER ESTATE & ATTRIBUTES – Greek Mythology}}</ref>  In [[Roman mythology]], the turtle dove was one of the emblems of [[Fides (deity)|Fides]], the goddess of trust and good faith.<ref name="peck">{{cite book|author=Harry Thurston Peck |date=1898 |title=Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities |chapter=Fides (2) |chapter-url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DF%3Aentry+group%3D3%3Aentry%3Dfides2-harpers |access-date=2015-12-21 |location=New York |publisher=Harper and Brothers}}</ref><ref name="smith">{{DGRBM|author=LS |title=Fides |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DF%3Aentry+group%3D3%3Aentry%3Dfides-bio-1}}</ref>


Perhaps because of Biblical references &ndash; especially verse 2: 12 from the [[Song of Songs]] "the voice of the turtle [dove] is heard in our land" &ndash; its mournful voice, and the fact that it forms strong [[pair bond]]s, European turtle doves have become emblems of devoted love. In the [[New Testament]], two turtle doves are mentioned as the [[Pidyon haben|customary offering]] during the [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple]].<ref name=RockSwag>[http://www.rocketswag.com/animal/birds/doves/Meaning-Of-Turtle-Doves.html "Meaning Of Turtle Doves."] Rocketswag.com. Rocketswag.com, 2012.</ref> In Renaissance Europe, the European turtle dove was envisaged as the devoted partner of the [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]]. [[Robert Chester (poet)|Robert Chester]]'s poem ''Love's Martyr'' is a sustained exploration of this symbolism. It was published along with other poems on the subject, including [[William Shakespeare]]'s poem "[[The Phoenix and the Turtle]]", where "turtle" refers to the turtle dove.
Perhaps because of Biblical references &ndash; especially verse 2: 12 from the [[Song of Songs]] "the voice of the turtle [dove] is heard in our land" &ndash; its mournful voice, and the fact that it forms strong [[pair bond]]s, European turtle doves have become emblems of devoted love. In the [[New Testament]], two turtle doves are mentioned as the [[Pidyon haben|customary offering]] during the [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple]].<ref name=RockSwag>[http://www.rocketswag.com/animal/birds/doves/Meaning-Of-Turtle-Doves.html "Meaning Of Turtle Doves."] Rocketswag.com. Rocketswag.com, 2012.</ref> In Renaissance Europe, the European turtle dove was envisaged as the devoted partner of the [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]]. [[Robert Chester (poet)|Robert Chester]]'s poem ''Love's Martyr'' is a sustained exploration of this symbolism. It was published along with other poems on the subject, including [[William Shakespeare]]'s poem "[[The Phoenix and the Turtle]]", where "turtle" refers to the turtle dove.


The turtle dove is featured in a number of [[folk song]]s about love and loss, including "[[There Is a Tavern in the Town]]". One of these is a setting by [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Works of Ralph Vaughan Williams |year=1992 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=178 |isbn=0-19-816330-4 |first1=Michael |last1=Kennedy |first2=Ralph Vaughan |last2=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qzlj-LaQzvEC&pg=PA177 }}</ref>
The turtle dove is featured in a number of [[folk song]]s about love and loss, including "[[There Is a Tavern in the Town]]". One of these is among the folk song settings of [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Works of Ralph Vaughan Williams |year=1992 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=178 |isbn=0-19-816330-4 |first1=Michael |last1=Kennedy |first2=Ralph Vaughan |last2=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qzlj-LaQzvEC&pg=PA177 }}</ref>


Turtle doves are also featured in the song, "[[The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)|The Twelve Days of Christmas]]", as the gift "my true love gave to me" on the second and subsequent days of Christmas.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1126/12-days-of-Christmas-cost-How-much-is-a-partridge-in-a-pear-tree | title='12 days of Christmas' cost: How much is a partridge in a pear tree? | publisher=The Christian Science Monitor | date=November 26, 2012 | access-date=8 May 2014 | author=The Associated Press}}</ref>
Turtle doves are also featured in the song "[[The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)|The Twelve Days of Christmas]]", as the gift "my true love gave to me" on the second and subsequent days of Christmas.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1126/12-days-of-Christmas-cost-How-much-is-a-partridge-in-a-pear-tree | title='12 days of Christmas' cost: How much is a partridge in a pear tree? | publisher=The Christian Science Monitor | date=November 26, 2012 | access-date=8 May 2014 | author=The Associated Press}}</ref>


Turtle doves appear in the title and lyrics of the [[Spiritual (music)|spiritual]] "Turtledove Done Drooped His Wings" from the Georgia [[Sea Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=35605|title=Origin: Turtledove Done Drooped His Wings|first=Max|last=Spiegel}}</ref><ref>audio clip: [http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=phc/2010/02/20/phc_20100220_64&starttime=00:47:48&endtime=00:51:11 Lafayette/ Turtle Dove] – [[Peter Ostroushko]], Shoe Band, GK and Andra Suchy, 2/20/2010</ref>
Turtle doves appear in the title and lyrics of the [[Spiritual (music)|spiritual]] "Turtledove Done Drooped His Wings" from the Georgia [[Sea Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=35605|title=Origin: Turtledove Done Drooped His Wings|first=Max|last=Spiegel}}</ref><ref>audio clip: [http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=phc/2010/02/20/phc_20100220_64&starttime=00:47:48&endtime=00:51:11 Lafayette/ Turtle Dove] – [[Peter Ostroushko]], Shoe Band, GK and Andra Suchy, 2/20/2010</ref>
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[[Category:Birds described in 1758|European turtle dove]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1758|European turtle dove]]
[[Category:Streptopelia|European turtle dove]]
[[Category:Streptopelia|European turtle dove]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus|European turtle dove]]
[[Category:Animal taxa named by Carl Linnaeus|European turtle dove]]

Latest revision as of 04:54, 12 November 2025

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The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) 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.

Taxonomy

The European turtle dove was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. He placed it with all the other pigeons in the genus Columba and coined the binomial name Columba turtur.[1] The specific epithet turtur is the Latin word for a turtle dove.Template:Sfn Linnaeus gave the locality as "India". This was an error, and the type locality has been designated as England.[2] The species is now placed in the genus Streptopelia that was introduced in 1855 by the French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte.[3][4]

Four subspecies are recognised:[4]

Despite the identical spelling, the "turtle" of the name has no connection with the reptile of the same name; it is ultimately from Latin Script error: No such module "Lang"., which is onomatopoeic, imitating the bird's song. From Latin the word was taken into Old English as Script error: No such module "Lang". (male turtle dove) and Script error: No such module "Lang". (female turtle dove), then to Middle English Script error: No such module "Lang". (Script error: No such module "Lang"., Script error: No such module "Lang"., Script error: No such module "Lang".), and from there into Modern English.[5][6] The genus name Streptopelia is from Ancient Greek Script error: No such module "Lang". meaning "collar", and Script error: No such module "Lang". meaning "dove".Template:Sfn

A few other doves in the genus Streptopelia and the related genus Nesoenas are also commonly called "turtle doves", while the name Turtur has also been given as a generic name to a less-closely related group of tropical African doves:[4]

Description

The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other doves. It measures Template:Cvt in length, has a wingspan of Template:Cvt and weighs Template:Cvt.Template:Sfn 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. This can be seen when the bird stoops to drink and raises its spread tail.

The mature bird has a blue-grey head, neck, flanks, and rump, and cinnamon-coloured wings that are mottled with black. The breast is vinaceous and the abdomen and undertail coverts are white. Its bill is black and its legs and eye rings are red. The black and white patch on the side of the neck is absent in the browner and duller juvenile bird, which also has brown legs.

Distribution and habitat

The turtle dove is a migratory species with a western Palearctic range covering most of Europe and the Middle East and including Turkey and north Africa, although it is rare in northern Scandinavia and Russia. It winters south of the Sahara.[7] It is one of the latest migrants, rarely appearing in Northern Europe before the end of April and returning south again in September.Template:Sfn Turtle doves are rare vagrants in North America, with records from Massachusetts and Florida in the United States,[8][9] and an additional record from Saint Pierre and Miquelon.[10]

This bird prefers open woodlands to dense ones, and often feeds on the ground. Although it occasionally nests in large gardens, it is usually extremely timid, probably due to the heavy hunting pressure it faces during migration. Its flight is often described as arrow-like, but it is not particularly fast.

The nuptial flight, high and circling, is like that of the common wood pigeon, but the undulations are less decided; it is accompanied by the whip-crack of the downward flicked wings. The arrival in spring is heralded by its cooing or purring song, a rather deep, vibrating "Template:Not a typo".

Status

Turtle dove populations are in rapid decline across Europe and this species has a red-listed global conservation status. In the United Kingdom its numbers have declined by 93% since 1994 and across Europe numbers fell by 78% during the 1980–2013 period.[11]

Environmentalist groups have attributed the decline of turtle doves in Europe to two main factors: changes in farming practices which have led to a decrease in the availability of weed seeds and shoots mean that the weed seeds and shoots, especially fumitory, on which the birds feed; and the shooting of birds in Mediterranean countries. According to a 2001 study cited by the European Commission, between two and four million turtle doves are shot annually in Malta, Cyprus, France, Italy, Spain and Greece.[12][13]Template:Dead link Environmentalists have described spring hunting in Malta as particularly problematic as it is the only country with an EU derogation to shoot birds during their spring migration to breeding grounds.[14]

According to a 2007 study by the European Commission, four currently identifiable potential threats to the turtle dove are (1) habitat loss/modification (medium to low impact), (2) droughts and climate change (mostly unknown but likely low impact), (3) hunting (partly unknown but overall medium impact), and (4) competition with the collared dove (unknown impact).[15]Template:Dead link The British Trust for Ornithology has also highlighted Trichomonosis parasites as a threat to the turtle dove.[11]

In 2021, the European Commission recommended a temporary hunting ban, which was enforced in the western Mediterranean countries of France, Spain and Portugal. This resulted in the species starting to undergo population recovery: in summer 2024, the western European breeding population increased by 25%, indicating that hunting was indeed a major contributor to the initial decline.[16] Populations in central and eastern European breeding grounds, however, have continued to decline as hunting continued in these areas, albeit on a smaller scale. [17]

This recommendation was lifted in April 2025 over the western flyway, with restrictions on the number of birds allowed to be taken, as the agreed conditions required to resume hunting had been met. [18]

In culture

File:SophieAnderson TheTurtleDoveSmall.jpg
The Turtle Dove by Sophie Gengembre Anderson

According to Aelian, the turtle dove was sacred to Demeter.[19] In Roman mythology, the turtle dove was one of the emblems of Fides, the goddess of trust and good faith.[20][21]

Perhaps because of Biblical references – especially verse 2: 12 from the Song of Songs "the voice of the turtle [dove] is heard in our land" – its mournful voice, and the fact that it forms strong pair bonds, European turtle doves have become emblems of devoted love. In the New Testament, two turtle doves are mentioned as the customary offering during the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.[22] In Renaissance Europe, the European turtle dove was envisaged as the devoted partner of the Phoenix. Robert Chester's poem Love's Martyr is a sustained exploration of this symbolism. It was published along with other poems on the subject, including William Shakespeare's poem "The Phoenix and the Turtle", where "turtle" refers to the turtle dove.

The turtle dove is featured in a number of folk songs about love and loss, including "There Is a Tavern in the Town". One of these is among the folk song settings of Ralph Vaughan Williams.[23]

Turtle doves are also featured in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", as the gift "my true love gave to me" on the second and subsequent days of Christmas.[24]

Turtle doves appear in the title and lyrics of the spiritual "Turtledove Done Drooped His Wings" from the Georgia Sea Islands.[25][26]

In the Shaker hymn "In Yonder Valley", that "the turtledove is in our land" is seen as a good omen and sign of growth.

References

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Sources

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External links

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IUCN
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b British Trust for Ornithology - Turtle Dove Population in a Tailspin
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Lutz, Marc (2007) MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) 2007–2009. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 22.
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Lutz, Marc (2007) MANAGEMENT PLAN for TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) 2007–2009. Technical Report – 007 – 2007. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. European Commission. p. 20.
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Template:DGRBM
  22. ↑ "Meaning Of Turtle Doves." Rocketswag.com. Rocketswag.com, 2012.
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ audio clip: Lafayette/ Turtle Dove – Peter Ostroushko, Shoe Band, GK and Andra Suchy, 2/20/2010
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