Turtle Dove.
Streptopelia turtur

Turtle Dove.
Streptopelia turtur
Gillard Rd, Brixham, S Devon. Quick lunch break visit today to finally see Mark V's #TurtleDove in the horse field - just a stone's throw from work! Nice 📸 👇 by and big thanks to Mike P and @robmurphy.bsky.social for the info. #UKBirding #DevonBirds @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
The blood of medieval turtledoves was said to help with eye ailments. This illustration of a mated pair is from an English bestiary (c1200-1210). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #turtledove #turtledoves
The medieval turtledove was considered a symbol of the holy church which remained faithful to Christ even after his death. This illustration is from "Ter Duinen Aviary" (1190-1200). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #turtledove #turtledoves
After the death of its only mate, the surviving medieval turtledove was said to never perch on anything green as in this image of three solitary turtledoves from the "Bestiaire" of Guillaume le Clerc (c1265-1270). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #turtledove #turtledoves
Wow, they are making quick progress this year! 🕊️
The medieval turtledove was said to be so faithful to its mate that its mate died it would never take another. This gorgeous illustration is from the Aberdeen Bestiary (c1200). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #turtledove #turtledoves
A turtle dove has nothing to do with the reptile. The name copies its song. Latin turtur mimics that soft rolling turr turr purr you hear on a warm June morning.
Learn your UK birds free at learn-birds.com
Turtle doves and migrants travel across borders that neither wind nor birds recognise. One is protected, hunted and managed; the other detained, pushed back and left to drown. Both raise the same question: where is home when borders and climate make it impossible?