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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Eurasian Turtle Dove

 

 

Eurasian Turtle Dove

(Turtle Dove)

Streptopelia tutar

Gaelic: Tutar

Photography © Martin Scott
Brue - Isle of Lewis - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
1st July, 2009

"Pics of Turtle Dove in Brue today, also a (Greenland) whitefronted goose at Loch Brannahuie. It has been around on and off all summer. I suspect it has (at least) tried to breed with the local Greylags."

 

• Eurasian Turtle Dove (Turtle Dove)
• Streptopelia tutar
• Gaelic: Tutar
• UK: RED LIST, 44,000 territories (summer) BTO
• UK: Migrant reeder, Passage Visitor
• WI: Regular but scarce passage visitor (very small numbers recorded in most years). March - Oct but mostly May-June & Sept. Approx 10 records a year
• Habitat: arable land near townships, woodland edges, hedgerows & open land with some shrubs, gardens
• Breeds: Europe, Central Asia, North Africa
• Winters: south of breeding range to Central Africa
• Diet: Seeds, cereal grain, weeds
• Size of a large blackbird. Dainty dove. Smaller & darker than collared dove. Upperparts mottled chestnut & black. Black tail has white edge
• Max recorded age: 7yr 1 mth
• Listen to a Turtle Dove (RSPB site)
• Similar bird: Collared Cove
  

Turtle doves are the only migratory dove.

 

Eurasian Turtle Dove records in the Western Isles

Scarce passage visitor (very small numbers recorded in most years)
Source: Outer Hebrides Bird Report (2001)

Approximately 10 records a year

The chart below shows how abundant the Eurasian Turtle Dove is during a month or when you are more likely to see it.

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

(Source: Outer Hebrides Birds Checklist)

 

 

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