Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 10.2–10.6 in
26–27 cm - Wingspan
- 17.7–19.7 in
45–50 cm - Weight
- 4.6–5.9 oz
130–166 g
Other Names
- Ringed Turtle Dove, Barbary Dove, Ringdove, Domestic Ringdove
- Tourterelle rieuse (French)
- (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Just what is the wild parent species for the Ringed Turtle-Dove has been debated for years. Currently it is believed to be a domesticated form of the African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea), which is found across northern Africa and western Arabia.
- The Ringed Turtle-Dove seems to have had the fear of large, strange, or moving creatures bred out of it more than any other domesticated bird, and individuals are readily made hand-tame. The recognition of predatory birds remains, however, and it shows standard hawk-escaping dove behavior. One common response to a hawk is to "freeze" motionless. This behavior undoubtedly worked well with its normal, darker plumage in its natural habitat, but the pale domesticated form stands out conspicuously against green lawns.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Open woodland and parks around people.
Food
Seeds
Seeds.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2 eggs
- Egg Description
- White.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless with creamy buff down.
Nest Description
Flimsy platform of twigs, in tree or bush.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Ground Forager
Feeds mostly on ground.
Conservation
Least Concern
Feral populations do not seem to be able to maintain themselves without being provided food by people.
Credits
- American Ornithologists' Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
- Cramp, S., et al. 1985. The Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume IV: Terns to Woodpeckers. Oxford University Press.
- Goodwin, D. 1983. Pigeons and doves of the world. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.