Dove, Ringed-turtle

Physical Features

Ringed-turtle Doves are named after the distinct black, ring-shaped patch of feathers that is on the back of their necks. They are medium sized bird with a small head and a medium-long square tail. Their body and head are brown-grey or pale buff to white with darker colors more pronounced on their backs and they have a black half-collar on the back of their neck. They have white-tipped tail feathers. The males and females of Ringed-turtle Doves look alike although the males are slightly bigger in size. The body length of adults is between 10.2-10.6inches/26-27 cm with a wingspan between 17.7-19.7inches/45-50cm and a body weight range between 4.6–5.9 oz/130–166g. Juvenile Ringed-turtle Doves are paler and duller in color, with gray feet and eyes that gradually change to adult color. Their eyes change from yellowish to orange, then to red, as they become adults.

Habitat

Ringed-turtle Doves are mainly found in open woodland and parks around people. They are also found in the bush, savannah, farmlands, and woodlands of southern and eastern Africa. The Ringed-turtle Dove has been domesticated for so long that its wild origins are not known for certain. Feral populations of these doves have become established in some cities in the southern United States.

Diet

Ringed-turtle Doves forage for food on the ground. They feed mainly on seeds, but occasionally they also feed on insects, especially flying ants. They drink mainly in the morning.

Meat

The Ringed-turtle Dove's meat is dark, lean, dense and rich in flavor.

Behavior

The Ringed-turtle Doves are mostly found alone or in pairs, although when around sources of food and water they tend to form larger flocks, sometimes containing hundreds of birds. These doves breed at any time of the year. They make flimsy nests from trees and rootlets in the forks of trees. Females usually lay two creamy-white eggs per clutch, which are incubated for 15 days. During the incubation period the males sit on the eggs during the day while the females sit on them at night. Two weeks after hatching the chicks are ready to leave the nest, which allows the adults to be ready to breed again a week later. The male will continue to feed the young birds even after the next eggs are laid. Ringed-tail Doves are quite noisy when in flocks especially since their wings clap loudly when the birds take flight. Their usual call is a monotonous and high-pitched crooning sound, “Cooka-loo” which they repeat ten to thirty times. They have a second, cackling call that sounds like laughter.

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