Photo: MPF / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
European Turtle Dove
Streptopelia turtur
European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) — Pigeons & Doves of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 132 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
- Genus Streptopelia
- Species turtur
Quick facts
- Weight
- 132 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Columbidae
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The European Turtle Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The European Turtle Dove is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a member of the Columbidae family, within the order Columbiformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL w, c.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 132 g, with a wing length of about 17.1 cm and a tail of around 11 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 17.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the European Turtle Dove?
The European Turtle Dove is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 132 g.
Where does the European Turtle Dove live?
The European Turtle Dove is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL w, c, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the European Turtle Dove belong to?
The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.
What does the European Turtle Dove eat?
The European Turtle Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the European Turtle Dove migrate?
The European Turtle Dove is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the European Turtle Dove endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the European Turtle Dove make?
1 real field recording of the European Turtle Dove — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the European Turtle Dove's range?
The European Turtle Dove has a mapped global range of about 17.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Columbidae
A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.