About Streptopelia orientalis (Latham, 1790)
Description: The Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis) has plumage very similar to that of the turtle dove. It is slightly larger than the turtle dove; the nominate subspecies S. o. orientalis is around the same size as a collared dove. Like the turtle dove, it has a black-and-white striped patch on the side of its neck, made up of silver-tipped feathers. Compared to the turtle dove, its breast has less pink color. The orange-brown wing feathers seen on the turtle dove are replaced with feathers that have a browner overall hue and darker centers, which gives the Oriental turtle dove's wings a scaly appearance. Its tail is wedge shaped, just like the tail of the turtle dove. Its flight is more relaxed and direct than the flight of the turtle dove. In addition, the turtle dove has a bare patch of skin around its eyes, which the Oriental turtle dove does not have. Distribution and habitat: The Oriental turtle dove uses a variety of habitats. It breeds in well-wooded but open areas, and winters in more open habitats that still typically have good tree cover. The westernmost subspecies, meena, breeds in the Western Palearctic region. The southernmost populations of Oriental turtle dove are resident, while most other populations migrate south to winter in India, the Maldives, and southern Japan. These birds disperse widely, and they have been recorded on islands such as Lakshadweep during the winter. The nominate subspecies S. o. orientalis occurs as a rare vagrant in western Alaska and British Columbia. It is also a vagrant to northern and western Europe, and sightings in Britain usually attract significant attention from birdwatchers known as twitchers.
