European turtle dove facts for kids
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The European turtle dove is a small bird from the Dove family. It is smaller than many other doves you might know.
These doves live naturally in Europe, Asia, and Africa. You might have heard of them from the famous Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
Sadly, there are not as many European turtle doves in Europe today as there used to be. Their numbers have been decreasing.
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What Does a European Turtle Dove Look Like?
The European turtle dove is smaller and more slender than many other doves. It is about 24 to 29 centimeters (9.4 to 11.4 inches) long. Its wings can spread from 47 to 55 centimeters (18.5 to 21.7 inches) wide. It weighs between 85 and 170 grams (3 to 6 ounces).
You can spot a European turtle dove by its brownish color and a special black-and-white striped patch on the side of its neck. When it flies away, you can see its tail. It looks like a wedge with a dark center and white edges.
Colors of the Turtle Dove
Adult turtle doves have a blue-grey head, neck, and back. Their wings are cinnamon-colored with black spots. Their chest is a reddish-pink, and their belly is white. They have a black beak and red legs and eye rings.
Younger birds look a bit different. They are browner and duller, and they do not have the black-and-white patch on their neck. Their legs are brown.
Where Do They Live and How Do They Behave?
European turtle doves are some of the last birds to migrate north in spring. They usually arrive in Northern Europe around the end of April. They fly back south again in September.
These birds prefer open woodlands rather than very dense forests. They often look for food on the ground. Sometimes, they might even build nests in large gardens. However, they are usually very shy. This is probably because they are often hunted during their long migrations. Their flight is fast and direct, often described as "arrow-like."
When a male turtle dove is trying to attract a mate, it flies high in circles, similar to a common wood pigeon. This flight is often joined by a quick "whip-crack" sound from its wings.
The Meaning of Their Name
When spring arrives, you can hear their special "purring" song, which sounds like a deep, vibrating "turrr, turrr." This sound is actually where the "turtle" part of their name comes from! It has nothing to do with the reptile turtle. The word "turtle" here comes from the Latin word turtur, which sounds like their song.
Their scientific name, Streptopelia, comes from ancient Greek words. Streptos means "collar," and peleia means "dove." This refers to the collar-like patch on their neck.
Turtle Doves in Culture and Stories
Throughout history, European turtle doves have appeared in many stories and traditions.
In ancient times, the Greek writer Aelian said that the turtle dove was sacred to Demeter, the goddess of harvest. In Roman mythology, the turtle dove was a symbol of Fides (deity), the goddess of trust and loyalty.
Because of their gentle nature, their sad-sounding voice, and the strong bonds they form with their partners, European turtle doves have become symbols of devoted love. In the New Testament, two turtle doves were a traditional offering during the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
During the Renaissance in Europe, people believed the European turtle dove was the loyal partner of the mythical Phoenix. The poet Robert Chester wrote a poem called Love's Martyr about this idea. It was published with other poems on the same topic, including William Shakespeare's famous poem "The Phoenix and the Turtle," where "turtle" means the turtle dove.
Turtle doves are also found in many folk songs that talk about love and loss. One famous example is a song set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
And, of course, turtle doves are a key part of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." They are the gift "my true love gives to me" on the second day of Christmas. If you count all the gifts given throughout the song, you would receive 22 turtle doves in total!
They also appear in the title and words of a spiritual song from the Georgia Sea Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Tórtola europea para niños
