A turtledove is a small, gentle bird known for its soft cooing sound and its devoted behavior toward its mate. These birds, which are actually a type of dove (not related to turtles at all!), have been symbols of love and faithfulness for thousands of years.

Turtledoves appear in literature, songs, and stories as representations of devoted partnership. In the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” two turtledoves are the gift given on the second day. The birds earned their romantic reputation because they form strong pair bonds, often staying with the same mate for life and caring tenderly for each other.

European turtledoves migrate long distances between Europe and Africa each year, while their relatives live in various parts of Asia and Africa. Sadly, turtledove populations have declined significantly due to hunting and habitat loss, making these once-common birds increasingly rare in many places where they used to thrive.