European Turtle Dove

Streptopelia turtur

Increasingly decline Summer visitors from April-September with 40,000 breeding pairs in Britain.

Breeds in mainland Europe & North Africa.

Winters in Central Africa.

Now classed as an extremely endangered species of the Pigeons & Doves worldwide.

Adults have a brown back the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck.

Its bill is black and its legs and eye rings are red.

The black and white patch on the side of the neck is absent in the browner and duller Juveniles, which also has brown legs.

The tail is wedge-shaped with a dark centre and white borders and tips. 

The call is a cooing or purring song, a rather deep, vibrating "turrr, turrr".