Tyler Wynn
The turtle dove is a migratory bird species found in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. It has a distinctive song, a gentle purr that is often considered evocative of summer. The turtle dove's call is a 'tur tur' sound, with a rolled r, and is quite different from the perch-coo call of the mourning dove. Interestingly, some people have described hearing a mourning dove that sounds remarkably like a barking dog, with a raspy, rough tone. While the turtle dove's purr is not known to excite dogs, the mourning dove's unusual variation might attract the attention of canine companions.
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What You'll Learn
Turtle doves have a distinctive purring call
Turtle doves are migratory birds, heading to Africa in the winter and returning to the UK in spring. They build nests in hedgerows and scrub, preferring thorny species such as hawthorn and often nesting among climbers like honeysuckle. Their diet includes seeds, which they find on the ground in weedy areas or in the short stubble after a harvest.
Turtle doves have a striking appearance with a beautiful chestnut checkerboard pattern on their wings and distinctive black and white stripes on their necks. Their faces are also quite colourful, with bright orange eyes and blue eyeshadow. These doves are smaller and darker than collared doves, slightly larger than a blackbird.
The turtle dove has a wingspan of around 19 to 21 inches and a length of 10-11 inches. They typically weigh between 0.26875 and 0.35 lbs. This makes them slightly smaller than the mourning dove, which has a length of 8.9-14.2 inches and a wingspan of 14.6-17.7 inches.
The turtle dove's purring call is quite different from the call of the mourning dove, which resembles the sounds of an owl. The mourning dove's call is described as "perch-coo," with the "coo" divided into two syllables: "coo-oo." This call is often followed by two or three louder coos and is primarily sung by unmated males.
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The call is a tell-tale sign of summer
The turtle dove's call is a tell-tale sign of summer. The gentle purr of the turtle dove, described as "tur tur", is an evocative sound of summer. The name "turtle" is thought to derive from this distinctive purring call. The purr is often delivered by male birds from a bare branch of a tall tree on the edge of woodland or in a hedgerow.
Turtle doves are migratory birds, spending winters in Africa and arriving in the UK in spring, where they build nests in hedgerows and scrub. They are a summer visitor, usually present from mid-April to the end of August. Each year, UK-breeding turtle doves travel up to 3,000 miles each way to and from West Africa.
The turtle dove's call is a gentle purr, in contrast to the mourning dove's call, which has been described as sounding like a barking dog. The mourning dove's call is said to resemble the "perch-coo", with the "coo" divided into two syllables: "coo-oo". This call is sung primarily by unmated males.
The turtle dove's call is a distinctive and beautiful sound that has been associated with summer and is considered a tell-tale sign of the season. However, due to rapid population declines, hearing the turtle dove's call has become a rare occurrence. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this at-risk species.
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The call is delivered by male birds from high perches
Male birds of several species deliver their calls from high perches. The male Eastern Wood-Pewee, for instance, sings a distinctive, slurred pee-a-wee call from exposed perches to advertise their breeding territories. The call, which lasts about a second, is a distinctive sound of Eastern forests in summer. The Eastern Whip-poor-will is another example of a bird that calls from a conspicuous perch during the breeding season. The male's emphatic, chanted whip-poor-will call is sometimes repeated for hours and is a classic sound of warm summer nights in the countryside of the East.
In extratropical Eurasia and the Americas, almost all songs are produced by male birds. Male birds are also more likely to sing when females are absent. The Turtle Dove, a migratory bird that travels to Africa in the winter, has an iconic purring 'turr turr' call. This gentle purr is a sound of summer and is where the 'turtle' name came from.
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The name 'turtur' comes from the call
The name "turtur" comes from the call of the turtle dove, a migratory bird species native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The Latin word "turtur" translates to "turtle dove", highlighting the significance of the bird's distinctive call in its naming.
The turtle dove's call, often described as a gentle purr, is a unique and memorable aspect of this bird. Its call, "turr turr", is said to be the origin of its name, "turtle". This distinct call has earned the turtle dove recognition and even inspired its naming.
The turtle dove, or Streptopelia turtur, is a small genus of doves known as wood doves. The genus was first introduced by the Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert in 1783 to classify the blue-spotted wood dove (Turtur afer). This classification brought attention to the distinct call of the turtle dove, which has since been associated with the bird's name.
The turtle dove's gentle purring call is a sound often associated with summer. However, due to population declines, hearing this call has become a rare occurrence. The turtle dove migrates to Africa during the winter and returns to the UK in the spring, making it a summer visitor. This seasonal presence adds to the association of its call with the warmer months.
The name "turtur" is a direct reference to the turtle dove's call, showcasing how its unique vocalization has left an impact on those who have heard it. The Latin translation further emphasizes the importance of the call in the naming of this bird species.
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The species' scientific name reflects the call
The scientific name of the European turtle dove is Streptopelia turtur. The name "turtledove" is derived from the Middle English "turtle", which in turn comes from the Old English "turtla" (male turtle dove) and "turtle" (female turtle dove). Ultimately, the name stems from the Latin word "turtur", which is onomatopoeic, mimicking the bird's iconic purring 'turr turr' call. The species' scientific name reflects this etymology, with the specific epithet "turtur" being the Latin word for a turtle dove.
The genus name "Streptopelia" originates from the Ancient Greek words "streptos", meaning "collar", and "peleia", meaning "dove". This name is fitting, as the turtle dove is characterised by distinctive black and white stripes on its neck. The turtle dove is a migratory species with a western Palearctic range, covering most of Europe and the Middle East, including Turkey and North Africa. It is a summer visitor to the UK, arriving in spring and building nests in hedgerows and scrub, particularly among thorny species such as hawthorn.
The turtle dove has a distinctive appearance, with a chestnut checkerboard pattern on its wings and black and white stripes on its neck. It is much smaller and darker than the Collared Dove and is slightly larger than a Blackbird. The species has a special place in history and culture, often symbolising love and devotion. Despite being famously mentioned in the '12 Days of Christmas' carol, the turtle dove is now a rare sight due to rapid population declines.
The turtle dove's gentle purring call, which inspired its name, has become increasingly rare. The species faces threats such as habitat loss, hunting, and changes in farming practices, leading to a shorter breeding season and fewer nesting attempts. Conservation efforts are underway, and the bird has been the focus of initiatives like Operation Turtle Dove, aiming to create suitable nesting and feeding habitats. The Turtle Dove was even named RSPB England's Bird of the Year in 2021, honouring the work done to conserve this unique species.
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Frequently asked questions
No, turtle doves are known for their gentle purring, which resembles "tur tur".
Yes, some people have reported that mourning doves can sound like barking dogs, describing their call as "very raspy".
No, dogs are known to hunt mourning doves, but not turtle doves.
