Spotted Turtle-Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Family: Columbidae
Adult, My garden - Sept. 2003
© 2003 Mike Simpson
Adult, My garden - 26 Dec. 2003
© 2003 Mike Simpson
Status: Resident / Common / Introduced
The Spotted Turtle-Dove introduced to Australia from India in the 1890s is well established in the Penrith area where it is very common in parks and gardens. In fact if I put any seed on my bird-feeder hoping to attract birds to take photographs, I am virtually assured of at least a dozen within 10 minutes. These are relatively harmless birds except that they do compete with native species for food.
Size: 31 cm
Voice: constant cooing.
Nesting Ecology: The nest is a slight structure of twigs placed in a tree, often precariously. Oct-Jan, but often at other times.
Australian Distribution: Most urban areas along the coast from Qld to Perth.
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