Exotic bird of medium size (about 32 cm or 12.5 in), very similar physically to the European Turtle Dove, although more slender. Uniform plumage in a pale cream tone. Elongated tail with white ends and black base. Black collar on the neck (differential feature).
Urban environments
Species native to Asia and the Middle East that has expanded across Europe, reaching the Mediterranean since the seventies and colonizing the entire peninsula quickly. Linked to open areas with scattered trees. Preference for groves, which it occupies, in parks and gardens, urban environments and their surroundings, urbanizations and farmlands.
Naturalized species and resident all year round in the province. The Eurasian Collared Dove breeds between February and October, making several annual layings of 1 to 2 eggs. Nest in trees. Granivorous feeding (herbaceous seeds, cereal and green parts of plants). It consumes invertebrates in its reproductive period.
Very frequent and abundant species in the province. It can be observed practically in all the cities and towns of Malaga, as well as in most stages of the Great Path, except in the high mountain ones.
The Latin name of this turtle dove refers to a dove with a collar (from the Greek, "streptos", "collar"; "pelia", "pigeon") related to the number eighteen (from Latin, "deca-octo"). Decaoto was a servant who, according to Greek mythology, was turned into a turtle dove by the gods for refusing to pay an annual tax consisting of eighteen coins. Another legend, more related to the Judeo-Christian morality, relates the turtle dove to the thirst of Christ on the cross: a Roman soldier wanted to buy him a bowl of milk that cost 18 coins but he had only 17. As he could not buy it he was cursed and turned into a turtle dove that constantly repeated the number 18 in Greek. This "divine curse" seems to be related to the rapid expansion of the species, which in turn has led to a drastic reduction in the numbers of the native species.
- Campillos – Sierra de Yeguas
- Costa del Sol Occidental
- El Cerro de Santi Petri
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- Genil River banks
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 09. Periana - Riogordo
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 01. Málaga - Rincón de la Victoria
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 02. Rincón de la Victoria - Vélez-Málaga
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 03. Vélez-Málaga - Torrox
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 04. Torrox - Nerja
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 05. Nerja - Frigiliana
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 06. Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 07. Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 11. Alfarnate - Villanueva del Rosario
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 14. Villanueva de Tapia - Villanueva de Algaidas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 15. Villanueva de Algaidas - Cuevas Bajas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 16. Cuevas Bajas - Alameda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 19. Campillos - Embalses del Guadalhorce
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 21. Estación de El Chorro (Álora) - Carratraca - Ardales
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 23. El Burgo - Ronda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 28. Genalguacil - Casares
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 29. Casares - Estepona
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 31. Marbella - Ojén
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 32. Ojén - Mijas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 33. Mijas - Benalmádena
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 34. Benalmádena - Alhaurín de la Torre
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 35. Alhaurín de la Torre - Málaga
- Mouth of the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve
- Río del Burgo
- Río Guadalmina
- The Mouth of Rio Velez
- Valley of Genal River
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River
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