Turtle Dove-7D2_4119-001
Turtle Dove seen near Staple in Kent.
The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. According to the State of Europe's Common Birds 2007 report, the turtle dove population in Europe has fallen by 62% in recent times. Environmentalist groups have said that this is partly because changed farming practices mean that the weed seeds and shoots on which it feeds, especially fumitory, are more scarce, and partly due to shooting of birds in some countries.
Turtle Dove-7D2_4119-001
Turtle Dove seen near Staple in Kent.
The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. According to the State of Europe's Common Birds 2007 report, the turtle dove population in Europe has fallen by 62% in recent times. Environmentalist groups have said that this is partly because changed farming practices mean that the weed seeds and shoots on which it feeds, especially fumitory, are more scarce, and partly due to shooting of birds in some countries.