Turtledove (pigeon of Streptopelia)
Dove 1 genus, medium size, 270 ~ 350 mm long; The wings have no metallic feather color, and the second and third flight feathers are the longest; The feet are short and strong, and the tarsal toes are longer than the middle toes. This genus is about 15 species, distributed in Africa, Europe and Asia. There are five species in China, almost all over the provinces.
Turtle dove is a common species in China. The upper body feathers are mainly brown, and the head and neck are grayish brown, dyed with wine color; The forehead and the top of the head are gray or blue-gray, and there are Kuroha with blue-gray feather edges on both sides of the base of the back neck, and the shoulder feather edges are reddish brown; The upper back is brown, and the lower back to the waist is blue-gray; The tail end is blue-gray, and the central tail feather is brown; Pink chin and throat; The lower body is reddish brown. Male and female feathers are similar in color. Habitat in mountainous, hilly or plain forest areas, mainly in the forest edge, cultivated land and its vicinity to gather several small groups. In autumn and winter, they move to the plain and often live in groups with turtledoves. Fly like a dove and often glide. The song is monotonous and low. Very vigilant. Foraging sorghum, wheat seeds, rice and fruits, and sometimes eating insect larvae. The nest is built in a tree, usually 3 ~ 7 meters above the ground, made of branches, and has a simple structure. The nest is flat, with an outer diameter of about 30×40 cm and an inner diameter of about 8.0×8.5 cm. Each nest lays two eggs. Egg white, egg diameter is 33×24 mm, incubation period is about 18 days, and embryo period is about 18 days. Turtle dove is delicious and abundant, and it is a kind of hunting bird with economic value.