Spotted Turtle-Dove (Introduced)
Streptopelia chinensis
Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves, 25 species in Australia)
Size: 32 cm
Distribution: Within about 100 km of the coasts of NSW, VIC, QLD (except far North), Eastern SA and the SW tip of WA.
Status: Abundant
Habitat: Cities, suburban gardens, parks, established grain-growing areas of coastal, Eastern Australia
References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest
The Spotted Turtle-Dove is a kind of pigeon, however not as "gross" as the common Feral Pigeon. It has an easily recognisable "coo coooo", or "coo cooooo coo" kind of call which (like most bird calls) is much easier to hear than to read. It raises and lowers its tail on alighting.
The black-with-white-spots area on the back of the Spotted Turtle-Dove's neck makes it easy to recognise.
Birdwatchers call the Spotted Turtle-Dove the "STD".
Photo: Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW
The photo below shows a baby Spotted Turtle-Dove that had lost its parents.
Photo: Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW
Some Birdwatching Resources
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Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. A
very very large blue hardcover book with a dust jacket that matches the cover. It is the tallest book I own, and it is so big that I have only one shelf that it fits on. You could work out by lifting it a few times.
Colour photos and detailed
descriptions of all the birds. Not a field guide as such (so not as good if you just want a book to learn to identify the birds). Not your usual coffee table book either because it lists every bird. Contains lots of information about every bird in Australia. Excellent.
Click here to purchase from Australia $62.49 AUD |
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Owls, Frogmouths and Nightjars of Australia, David Hollands. A comprehensive look at all seventeen Owls, Nightjars and Frogmouths of Australia. Richly illustrated with over 200 photographs, showing all aspects of the birds' lives.
Click here to purchase from Australia $53.49 AUD |
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