Oriental Turtle-Dove
Streptopelia orientalis
A dove with attractive plumage: rufous-scaled scapulars and wing coverts, dusky underparts, and a black-and-white striped patch on the side of its neck made of silver-tipped feathers. There is a considerable variation in plumage in different subspecies. The southernmost populations are resident while the others migrate down south during winter. Breeds in open lowland woods and copses with rich undergrowth. Rather shy and keep well hidden in the tree canopy. Call is two hoarse notes followed by two clear notes "hr-hr oo-oo."
Identification
The Oriental dove is very similar in plumage to the Turtle dove. It is a little larger than that species, particularly in the case of orientalis, about the same size as a collared dove. It shares the black and white striped patch on the side of its neck made of silver-tipped feathers, but the breast is less pink, and the orange-brown wing feathers of the turtle dove are replaced with a browner hue, and darker centres giving a scaly appearance. The tail is wedge shaped, like the turtle dove. The flight is more relaxed and direct than that of its relative. Additionally, the turtle-dove has a bare patch of skin around its eyes, which the oriental dove lacks.<p>The calls are different from the purring of the European turtle dove. It is a four-syllable her-her-oo-oo. There are significant call differences within the populations as well.
Taxonomy
The genus name Streptopelia is from Ancient Greek streptos, "collar" and peleia, "dove". The specific orientalis is Latin for "eastern", in this case referring to the type locality, China.<p>The species has a wide distribution with geographical variation in plumage that has led to at least six subspecies being designated. The distributions of many are not disjunct and gradation exists except in some island populations. Some of the populations of Streptopelia turtur that occur on the eastern edge can be very similar in appearance to S. orientalis and in the past the two species have been lumped together.<p>The Oriental turtle dove has two distinct migratory northern subspecies, S. o. orientalis in the central Siberian taiga, and S. o. meena in the open woodlands of Central Asia. The differences in the tail patterns of the subspecies S. o. orientalis and S. o. meena help separate identification in their wintering grounds. The nominate form is described as having a grey tip to the tail and more black in the outer web of the outer tail feathers, while meena has a white tip to its tail like the European turtle dove and less black in the outer web of the outer tail feathers. However, these are not consistent differences: both forms can have white or grey tail-bands and orientalis can have little black in the outer webs of the outer tail feathers.
- Scientific name
- Streptopelia orientalis
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Streptopelia
Range and habitat
The habitat varies, but the Oriental turtle dove breeds in well-wooded but open habitats and winters in more open habitats but usually with good tree cover.<p>The westernmost race, meena, breeds in the Western Palearctic region. The southernmost populations are resident, but most other birds migrate south to winter in India, the Maldives, and southern Japan. They disperse widely and are known from islands such as the Lakshadweep in winter. S. o. orientalis occurs as a rarity in western Alaska and British Columbia. It is also a vagrant to northern and western Europe and occurrences in Britain tend to gather much attention from twitchers.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-billed Spurfowl
Pternistis adspersus
A medium-sized, brown francolin that is finely barred on the belly, head, and back. It has a diagnostic broad yellow eyering and reddish bill and feet. The juvenile has a reduced eyering and diffuse barring. The harsh, crowing, territorial call given from a low perch (“chak, chak, chak, CHAK, chakitty, chakitty”) is gruffer and lower-pitched than those of other francolins in its range. Natal Francolin differs by having scaled (not barred) underparts and lacking an eyering. Swainson’s Francolin differs by lacking barring and having red facial skin and dark blackish legs.
Eastern Dwarf Hornbill
Horizocerus granti
A small, dark forest hornbill found predominantly in primary forest subcanopy, where it prefers areas with abundant vines. This species is unique in its overall dark coloration and its broad white eyebrow that extends to the back of the head. The only similarly-sized forest hornbill in its range is the more reddish Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, but Eastern Dwarf Hornbill has a less well-defined border between the dark chest and white belly, and only Eastern Dwarf Hornbill has the broad white eyebrow behind the eye. Voice is a repetitive “yep yep yep yep” that can be repeated at length, sometimes accompanied with a howl.
Furtive Flycatcher
Ficedula disposita
A small bird of lowland secondary forest with bamboo in northern Luzon. Dark brown above with a gray band across the chest, a white throat and belly, a brown rump, rufous outer tail feathers, and a black terminal band on the tail. Similar to Ashy-breasted Flycatcher, but differs in tail pattern. Song is a variable three-noted whistled phrase, “piii puu piiit!” with the middle note lower.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.