The turtle dove, a fascinating bird, belongs to the dove family of the order Pigeons. This beautiful creature, with its unique plumage and graceful posture, is loved by bird lovers and nature watchers alike. Next, let's take a closer look at the living habits of turtle doves, their characteristics, and their distribution on the planet.
Turtle doves are medium in size, with short, round wings and a long, slightly pointed tail. Their plumage is predominantly grayish-brown with black or brown spots, which is why they get their name. Turtle doves have relatively small heads, dark brown eyes, and short, hard beaks that are suitable for pecking at seeds and fruits. Although their legs are short, they are very agile and are able to jump easily from branch to branch.
The turtle dove is a ground-dwelling bird that is adept at finding food on the ground. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, insects, etc., and sometimes small reptiles as well. Turtle doves have an interesting way of foraging, they will run fast on the ground, pecking at the food on the ground with their beaks. In addition, turtle doves are social animals that often congregate in woods, bushes, or city parks to feed, roost, and breed together.
The turtle dove has a very wide range of distribution, almost all over the world. Turtle doves can be found in the forests of Asia and the farmlands of Europe to the grasslands of Africa and the cities of the Americas. This highly adaptable bird can find its own living space in different ecological environments.
Turtle doves exhibit strong courtship behavior during the breeding season. Males attract the attention of females by displaying their feathers and making pleasant calls. Once the relationship is established, they build nests, lay eggs, and brood together. Turtle dove's nests are usually built in branches or bushes and are covered with soft leaves and branches, providing a warm, safe environment for the chicks to grow.
Their unique plumage, graceful posture and wide range of distribution make them a beautiful sight in nature.