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.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	316	Afropelia capicola capicola
2nd	316	Streptopelia capicola
3rd	316	Streptopelia capicola
4th	316	Streptopelia capicola
5th	354	Streptopelia capicola
6th	354	Streptopelia capicola
7th	187	Streptopelia capicola

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	316	Cape Turtle Dove
2nd	316	Cape Turtle Dove
3rd	316	Turtle Dove
4th	316	Cape Turtle Dove
5th	354	Cape Turtle Dove
6th	354	Cape Turtle Dove
7th	187	Cape Turtle (Ring-necked) Dove

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	316	Gewone-tortelduif
2nd	316	Tortelduif
3rd	316	Tortelduif
4th	316	Tortelduif
5th	354	Gewone Tortelduif
6th	354	Gewone Tortelduif
7th	187	Gewone Tortelduif

References and further reading

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 48

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 44

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

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 52

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

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 156

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 161

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 128

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 168

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

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 86

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 30

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

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

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 50

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

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 11

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 33

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

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 46

Field Guide to the West Coast - Author: H. Marshall and B. Mommsen - Published: 1994 - Page: 99

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

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 57

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 158

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

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

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

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 115

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 64

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 133

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

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

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

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

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

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