Wild Turtle Dove

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Description

The Eurasian Turtle Dove is recognizable by its light brown plumage with delicate black spots on its wings and a black-and-white band around its neck. Its calls are a soft, repetitive sound, characteristic of warm summer days. It prefers rural habitats, open woodlands, and hedgerows where it finds seeds and small fruits to eat. The species is migratory, moving to Africa during the winter, and is heavily hunted throughout the Mediterranean region. The breeding season occurs between May and July, with nests built in trees or low shrubs, where it usually lays two eggs.

The Situation in Italian-Speaking Switzerland

The Eurasian Turtle Dove currently nests only in the Magadino Plain. It nests in forests not far from water and near farmland and open areas where it forages for food.

  • Streptopelia turtur
  • Tourterelle des bois
  • Turteltaube
  • Turtel
  • European Turtle Dove
  • 27 cm
  • 47–53 cm

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