Turtle doves are also called "wild pigeons" in rural areas. They look very similar to pigeons, but they are not pigeons. The biggest difference between a turtle dove and a pigeon is that it has a very obvious spot on its neck, while a pigeon does not have this spot, which is why it is named turtle dove.
If you have lived in rural areas, you should have seen the turtle dove. It is probably the most photographed bird after sparrows and swallows. This kind of bird is very courageous and not afraid of people at all.
If you go to work in the mountains, you will often see this kind of animal on the roadside. When you are one or two meters away from it, it will fly away. But it doesn't fly away. It's often waiting for you on the side of the road not far ahead, just like playing a game with you.
But it is strange to say that nests of animals such as magpies and sparrows are very common, but nests of turtle doves are rarely found. Where do they build their nests? I hope this article of mine can answer everyone’s doubts.
What kind of bird is the turtle dove?
Before answering the question, we still need to understand the turtle dove first.
The turtle dove is also called the turtle dove, coo, coo, etc. It looks very similar to a pigeon in appearance and size, and it also makes a "coo coo" sound like a pigeon. This is because turtle doves and pigeons are actually closely related.
How closely related are turtledoves and pigeons? Just like the relationship between us humans and orangutans, turtledoves and pigeons can also breed together, but their offspring are not capable of reproduction.
Turtle doves are omnivorous birds. Their food sources are very wide, ranging from fruits of plants, various insects, and some crops grown by farmers, which can become their food.
This kind of bird has average flying ability, but its leg muscles are very strong. It is good at jumping on the ground to find food, and spends most of its time on the ground. And because its beak is long and its claws are powerful, it can help it easily turn over bugs, seeds and fruits in the soil or in weeds.
Turtle doves have similar habits to sparrows, magpies, swallows and other birds. They all like to move around humans because they are bold and vigilant, but they are not afraid of humans at all. So I often do activities near villages or around residential areas in the city.
Monogamous turtle doves build nests quite casually
Previously, I wrote an article introducing magpie nesting. Many netizens said that magpie nests look very rough, but the interior is luxuriously decorated. Compared with the magpie, the turtle dove's nest-building instinct should be at the level of just graduating from elementary school.
And unlike the nesting of swallows, magpies, sparrows and other birds, although turtle doves like to move around villages, they build nests in environments far away from villages, and they also build their nests on trees dozens of meters high, so they are generally difficult to detect.
Generally, wild turtle doves like to stay on tall camphor trees or sycamore trees, because such trees are tall and have lush branches and leaves, which are very conducive to hiding their nests. Even if you stand under the tree, it is difficult to find their nests. Moreover, their nesting locations are relatively high, generally 15 to 20 meters above the ground. The reason why
chose such a high position is also for security reasons. After all, birds like turtle doves have many natural enemies in nature. At a height of more than ten meters, cats and snakes are generally difficult to spot. At the same time, even eagles and other raptors in the sky are difficult to spot because they are blocked by trees.
However, in cities, there are not many options for turtle doves to build nests, and there are generally no taller trees, so they settle for the next best thing and choose to build their nests on the window sills of some high-rise buildings or on the outdoor units of air conditioners. In short, in Turtle Dove's opinion, high places are safer.
The level of turtle dove nesting is really average. I believe some people have seen turtle dove nests, which are just some branches simply interspersed together. They look very rough and are certainly not very comfortable to live in.
The turtle dove is a monogamous bird, and the husband and wife are very loyal and have a tacit understanding. After forming a pair, the male turtle dove first chooses a nesting place. After the selection is made, the female turtle dove makes the decision. If the female turtle dove agrees, they start to cooperate in building a nest.
After the nest is built, the female turtle dove begins to lay eggs. Generally, she can lay 2 eggs at a time, and a few can lay 3-4 eggs. After laying the eggs, the female turtle doves take turns to hatch them. Their division of labor is very clear. And because the turtle dove is a resident bird, it can breed all year round. When food is abundant, the turtle dove can breed 2 to 3 times a year.
Although turtle doves’ nests are simple, they have to live in them for several years and use such nests to breed offspring many times every year. If some turtle doves have no time to build a nest, or their own nests are unsafe, they will also seize the abandoned nests of some magpies, and even lay their eggs directly in the nests of magpies or other birds. It is also because of this habit that some people hate the turtle dove and think it is an "immoral bird".
written at the back
Although turtle doves are common in rural areas, because their nests are relatively hidden and difficult to find, and because they occasionally like to lay eggs in the nests of other birds, some people think that they are a bird that does not build nests and only lays its own eggs in other nests.
In fact, turtle doves can also build nests, but their nests are very simple. A few simple branches can build a nest. Moreover, this kind of bird is strictly monogamous, and they are more loyal to love than many of us humans today.
What is more worth mentioning is that although the reproductive ability of turtle doves is not weak and they can breed all year round, their survival rate is not high. When the babies have the ability to fly, they will leave the nest and live alone. However, most of these little turtle doves will be eaten by stray cats, snakes, and various birds of prey, and not many of them will actually grow up.
Turtle doves are currently protected animals, and wild ones cannot be eaten!
