Wildlifeof Nepal
Oriental Turtle-dove
Pigeons, Doves & Sandgrouse
Photo: (c) egorbirder, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Streptopelia orientalis
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly seeds, foraged on the ground
Range
Central Asia east to Japan; the form meena breeds from Kashmir to central Nepal
Clutch size
2 white eggs
Incubation period
15–16 days
The Oriental turtle dove has a wide range from Central Asia east to Japan, with at least six named subspecies that differ in plumage pattern. Populations at higher latitudes migrate south in winter, while those nearer the tropics stay put. It feeds mainly on seeds, foraging on the ground (Wikipedia, general species account).
The western form, meena, breeds from Kashmir to central Nepal. Two white eggs are laid in a twig nest in a tree, the male incubating by day and the female by night, with incubation starting immediately after the first egg. Eggs hatch in 15 to 16 days and the chicks fledge in about 15 to 17 days, a figure measured in Japan.
Quick answers
- What does the Oriental Turtle-dove eat?
- Mainly seeds, foraged on the ground
- Where is the Oriental Turtle-dove found?
- Central Asia east to Japan; the form meena breeds from Kashmir to central Nepal
- How many eggs does the Oriental Turtle-dove lay?
- 2 white eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Oriental Turtle-dove incubated?
- 15–16 days