Streptopelia risoria

Ringed Turtle-Dove has apparently been a cage-bird for millennia and the identity of its wild ancestors is unknown. This dove is among the most popular cage-birds in the world. An albino form is popular for releases at weddings and other festive occasions. Owners have accidentally or deliberately released Ringed Turtle-Doves,, which may survive in warmer parts of the United States.While individuals used for the most successful introductions to North America, House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were wild birds, escaped cage-birds usually lack the behavior learned from parents that enables them to successfully survive in the wild. 

DISTRIBUTION.  During the 1987-1992 field work of the TBBA project, observers found 2 confirmed, 3 probable and 2 possible breeding records for Ringed turtle-Dove in latilong 30099, 1 confirmed in 30098 and 1 possible in 29095. This later possible breeding record is in the Houston area where the AOU checklist (Am. Ornithol. Union 1998) reports breeding. The checklist also reports breeding in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahama Islands and Alabama. 

SEASONAL OCCURRENCE. Ringed Turtle-Doves are non-migratory, year-round residents (Pranty).

BREEDING HABITAT.  In the nited States  Ringed Turtle-Doves are usually found around subdivisions with abundant bird feeders. Nests, flimsy structures of twigs, are built in trees and shrubs.  Females lay 2 white eggs which hatch after about 14 days. Young birds fledge about  14 days after hatching (Pranty).

STATUS. Populations of escaped or released   Ringed Turtle-Doves are most likely to persist in warmer parts of Texas. As a popular and inexpensive cage-bird, this dove is among the most likely escapees to be found by atlasers. Experience in Florida  suggests many populations of established cage-birds such as Ringed Turtle-Dove are transitory  (Pranty).

Text by Robert C. Tweit (2006).