Malagasy Turtle Dove

Nesoenas picturatus

Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) — Pigeons & Doves of Africa.

The Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 177 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
Genus Nesoenas
Species picturatus

Where it lives

Madagascar region and (perhaps introduced) Chagos Arch. (west-central Indian Ocean)

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 177 g
Diet: Seed-eaters
Family: Columbidae
Order: Columbiformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Behaviour

A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) belongs to the Columbidae family of the order Columbiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar region and (perhaps introduced) Chagos Arch. (wc Indian Ocean).

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 177 g, with a wing length of about 16.6 cm and a tail of around 10.4 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 594,000 km².

Songs & calls

Malagasy Turtle Dove — Song

Recorded by Frank Lambert Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Malagasy Turtle Dove?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 177 g.

Where does the Malagasy Turtle Dove live?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar region and (perhaps introduced) Chagos Arch. (wc Indian Ocean), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Malagasy Turtle Dove belong to?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.

What does the Malagasy Turtle Dove eat?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Does the Malagasy Turtle Dove migrate?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Malagasy Turtle Dove endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Malagasy Turtle Dove make?

1 real field recording of the Malagasy Turtle Dove — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Malagasy Turtle Dove's range?

The Malagasy Turtle Dove has a mapped global range of about 594,000 km².