Cape Turtle Dove

Afrikaans name: Gewone tortelduif

Photo © Steven Herbert

Streptopelia capicola

The Cape Turtle Dove is one of the most common birds in South Africa. It may be found virtually anywhere and in some areas it is present in large numbers.

It is found in a variety of habitats and is a common site in parks and gardens.

The Cape Turtle Dove mainly feeds on seeds but they also will take fruit, termites and earthworms.

The female Cape Turtle Dove is responsible for making the nest. Typically she will make it amongst dense foliage in a tree. The normal clutch size is 1 or 2 eggs but sometimes there are more. Both parents tend to the eggs and chicks.

Sometimes people refer to this species as the Ring-necked Dove. This name may also be used for the Red-eyed Dove.

The Cape Turtle Dove is depedent on water sources and may often be seen drinking or bathing.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 142

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 115

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 115

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 79

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 94

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 41

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 115

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 116

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 37

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 57

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 100

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 61

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 33

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 150

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 196

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 196

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 30

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 128

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 219

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 228

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 307

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 304

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 216

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 224

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 136

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 65

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 106

List of South African Birds