07/05/2024
By 🖊️
Sheikh Mohsin Shahbaz
European Turtle Dove
The "European turtle dove" is called "Qamari" in Arabic for the male & "Qamari" for both male & female in the plural form, & the female is called "Qamariya"
In the world of birds, where sounds vary and colors abound, the European turtle dove stands out as an icon of purity and beauty. With its precisely colored plumage and gentle cooing, this bird is a living art piece roaming through forests and meadows. Let's delve into the world of the European turtle dove to discover the secret of its beauty and the importance of its conservation.
The European turtle dove, scientifically known as *Streptopelia turtur*, is distinguished by its striking beauty, setting it apart from other birds. This beauty starts from its light grey head, darkening towards the crown and the back of the neck, and its white throat adds an extra touch of elegance. The sides of its face feature an attractive pinkish-grey, while the black feathers speckled with silver on the sides of the neck give it a unique character with slanted black and silver stripes. Its back is dark brown with a scalloped pattern due to the darker center of each feather.
The call of the European turtle dove is characterized by a low, purring tone, repeating the phrase "rrrrhooo....rrrhooo," occasionally interspersed with a short note separating them as "rrrhooo..rrh..rrrhooo." These sounds, lasting approximately 1.5 to 1.8 seconds, are primarily used during the mating season and for communication between pairs.
Related species with genetic taxonomic relationships include:
S. lugens , "Dusky Turtle Dove"
S. hypopyrrha , "Adamawa Turtle Dove"
S. orientalis , "Oriental Turtle Dove"
The recognized subspecies include:
1. **Streptopelia turtur turtur**
The most common lineage, found from central and southern Britain eastwards to Poland and northern Russia, southwards to the northern Mediterranean coast, across Asia Minor and Syria to Kazakhstan and western Siberia.
2. **Streptopelia turtur arenicola**
This lineage ranges from Morocco eastwards to Tripoli, and from Iraq and Iran eastwards across Afghanistan and Turkestan to northwest China.
3. **Streptopelia turtur hoggara**
Found mainly in the Ahaggar, Aïr, Tassili, and Ennedi highlands in the southern Sahara.
4. **Streptopelia turtur rufescens**
Located in the Kufra oasis in Libya and the Dakhla and Kharga oases in Egypt, as well as Fayoum and parts of the Nile Valley.
The European turtle dove prefers living in open woodlands and meadows with trees, avoiding high mountainous areas and continuous forests, typically residing in regions below 350 meters above sea level, although in southern areas it can be found up to 1300 meters.
The diet of the European turtle dove primarily consists of seeds and fruits. It prefers seeds of r**e, globe amaranth, and sunflower, along with fumitory and clover. During the mating season, it builds its nests in trees or shrubs, usually laying two eggs that hatch within 13 to 14 days.
The European turtle dove exhibits strong migratory behavior, spending the winter in Africa and returning to Europe to breed. This migration reflects seasonal changes and requires safe migratory paths to maintain its population.
Currently classified as a species at risk due to the ongoing decline in its numbers caused by changing agricultural practices and overhunting, conserving the European turtle dove is crucial not only for the survival of the species but also for maintaining the ecological balance in its habitats. Protection measures and sustainable habitat management are essential to ensure the survival of these birds and enhance their long-term viability.
The European turtle dove, with its harmonious colors and sweet sounds, offers us a living example of natural beauty and environmental significance. By understanding its life and challenges, we can learn more about how to protect these magnificent birds and the natural spaces they need to survive. Let our responsibility be shared, where conservation efforts ensure that the European turtle dove remains a symbol of beauty in our world, not just for our generation but also for future ones.
Scientific Terminology Definitions for the European Turtle Dove Types:
(Streptopelia): Derived from the Greek words "στρεπτος" (streptos) for "collar" or "chain" and "πελεια" (peleia) for "dove," meaning "collared dove."
(Turtur): The Latin name reflects the soft and soothing sounds of this species.
(Arenicola): Derived from the Latin "arena" for "desert" and "-cola" for "dweller," meaning "desert dweller," used to describe species that inhabit desert environments.
(Hoggara): Refers to the Hoggar Mountain range in Algeria, used to indicate species adapted to the environment of this region.
(Rufescens): From the Latin "rufescere" meaning "to become red," used to describe species with red or reddish hues.
Exploration & Discovery Details:
Streptopelia turtur turtur
Explorer**: Carl Linnaeus
Year of Discovery : 1758
Initial Description: Described in "Systema Naturae"
Location of Discovery : England
Reference: Avibase, 2023
Streptopelia turtur arenicola
Explorer : Ernst Hartert
Year of Discovery: 1894
Initial Description : Described in "Novitates Zoologicae"
Location of Discovery: Fao, Persian Gulf
Reference: Avibase, 2023
Streptopelia turtur hoggara
Explorer : Gyula von Schwiebus
Year of Discovery : 1916
Initial Description : Described in "Ornithologische Monatsberichte"
Location of Discovery: Idles, Hoggar Mountains, Sahara Desert
Reference: Avibase, 2023
Streptopelia turtur rufescens
Explorer: Christian Ludwig Brehm
Year of Discovery**: 1845
Initial Description: Described in the journal "Isis"
Location of Discovery: Near the fertile lands around the Nile River
Reference : Avibase, 2023
