From Carols to Crisis: The Plight of the Turtle Dove

Famously mentioned in the classic Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, turtle doves are a cherished symbol of the holiday season. Formally known as the European Turtle Dove, these elegant birds belong to the family ‘Columbidae’, consisting of 344 species of doves and pigeons, including the extinct ‘Dodo’.

Weighing in at only 140 grams, turtle doves are the UK’s smallest native dove, named after their distinctive ‘turr’ call. Despite their association with winter, this unique sound is heard exclusively in spring, when the species returns to the UK after spending the winter months in northern Sub-Saharan Africa. Upon their return in April, the species build nests in hedgerows and scrub, with a preference to nest near to its feeding grounds in farmlands, woodlands, heathlands, and grasslands.

Whilst once a common sight between the months of April and September, sadly, the turtle dove is becoming increasingly elusive. As the UK’s fastest declining bird species, the turtle dove has been listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List since 1996 – a position it maintains almost 30 years later.

What are the reasons for the Turtle Dove’s Decline

Whilst some species are endangered by a single cause, such as poaching – the plight of the turtle dove is more complex. Here are several reasons contributing to their decline:

●     Food Shortages: As granivores, seeds are a crucial component of the turtle dove’s diet. Traditionally, these birds have relied on arable farmland to feed, with the variety of plants and seeds offering them a rich and varied diet. Unfortunately, changes in farming methods have led to a reduction of available seed, causing the birds to substitute them with cereal grains and rapeseed. This dietary switch has been associated with a large decline in nesting attempts, with the average number of chicks produced each year having halved since the 1970s.

●     Habitat Loss: Turtle doves prefer to nest in dense, thorny vegetation like scrubland and hedgerows, which are vital to their survival. Unfortunately, the last century has seen a stark decline in the number of hedgerows, with an estimated 118,000 miles of hedgerows having disappeared since 1950. Whilst this reduction is largely due to the intensification of agriculture, impacting the availability of wild spaces, under-management of these habitats also present an issue. If hedgerows grow too tall, they disappear into the treeline – losing the vital shrubby cover which provides food, shelter, and corridors to turtle doves and other wildlife.

●     Hunting on Migration: As turtle doves migrate south towards Africa, they become vulnerable to hunters in various countries across Europe. Within the European Union, the hunting of turtle doves is currently legal in 10 countries, adding to the threat they face in other areas of Europe. Until 2018, an estimated 1 million turtle doves were poached every autumn in France, Spain, and Portugal alone – a factor that has contributed greatly to the population's decline.

The Importance of Turtle Doves

Turtle doves are culturally significant, with references to the species tracing back to the 12th century as a symbol of love, hope, and peace. However, their ecological uniqueness also makes them environmentally significant. As Europe’s only long-distance migratory bird, they are instrumental to the ecosystem, which both depends upon and thrives off species diversity.

How You Can Help Turtle Doves

Remaining turtle dove populations are mainly concentrated in the east and southeast of England. There are several ways you can help protect turtle doves and contribute to the restoration of this important species.

●     Keep and Manage your Hedgerows: By providing a suitable habitat for turtle doves, you can help mitigate the devastating effects of habitat loss. To learn more about the importance of hedgerows for UK wildlife, as well as some tips on effective hedgerow management, click here.

●     Provide Food and Water: Whilst turtle doves don’t frequent garden spaces, you might have some visitors if you happen to live near their scrubby habitats. Like many doves and pigeons, turtle doves are ground feeders. To establish a suitable feeding station, you can either use a ground feeder or scatter the mix directly on the ground. For turtle doves, buy or curate a seed mix containing seeds like white millet, sunflower hearts and fumitory seed. If using a feeding station, ensure to clean it regularly to prevent the spread of disease. To provide water, make sure it is accessible – ideally with an exposed, gentle slope. If this is not possible, Operation Turtle Dove recommend offering a partially submerged branch as an alternative.

●     Explore Turtle Dove-Friendly Land Management Techniques: Operation Turtle Dove and Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) provide detailed guidance on land management techniques designed to benefit turtle doves. By implementing these measures, you can help increase the success of nesting attempts and support the recovery of this endangered species. If you would like assistance from your local advisor, visit Operation Turtle Dove’s website for more information.

●     Support Your Local Wildlife Centre: In 2023, Brent Lodge cared for 1,584 bird casualties. By donating or volunteering with us, you can have a direct impact on the conservation of the UK’s treasured wildlife.

With your help, we can preserve the legacy of the turtle dove. This holiday season, give the gift of hope to a turtle dove, and help secure its future for generations to come.

By Jewel Konieczny