Turtle Doves: Symbols of Love and Peace

These beautiful birds are distinguished by their orange-brown and black patterned back, bluish-grey head, pink chest, and the striking three black-and-white stripes on the sides of their neck. More colourful than the collared dove, the turtle dove has a lifespan of about two years. There soft call is a purring sound that resembles "turr-turr-turr," which is gentle, rhythmic, and almost soothing.

Most people are familiar with the festive song that mentions "two turtle doves" in the twelve days of Christmas and you might wonder why these summer visitors to the UK appear in a winter carol. We believe it’s because turtle doves form strong, lifelong bonds with their mate, symbolising enduring love—an ideal religious emblem.

As Europe’s only long-distance migratory dove, turtle doves spend winter in sub-Saharan West Africa, making a long and perilous journey to Europe to breed. Arriving in the UK during April and May, turtle doves can be spotted in the southern and eastern regions of England, as well as the lowlands of Wales.

Turtle doves inhabit a variety of environments, including grasslands, farmland, gardens, and heathlands, where they search for cereal and wildflower seeds. Unfortunately, turtle doves are among the fastest-declining bird species in the UK, classified as red-listed due to their urgent conservation needs. Key factors contributing to this decline include habitat loss and disease. Since the 1970s, the number of chicks produced by adult turtle doves has halved, putting their survival at even greater risk. Unlike other doves, turtle doves are granivores, feeding exclusively on seeds, particularly those from weeds. The reduction of these food sources in rural areas has led them to depend on cereal grains, which may adversely affect their breeding success.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in one of the few UK regions visited by these beautiful birds, you can create a welcoming environment that supports the health and well-being of these delicate birds by providing a specially crafted seed mix, such as the Dovecote & A1 Fancy Pigeon Mix, not only will you be helping to sustain their populations, but you'll also enjoy the beauty and joy they bring to your garden.

Let’s do our part to protect and nourish our local wildlife—every little effort counts!

Written by Tina Jakes