Madagaskar turtle dove

Nesoenas picturatus

‘Less is more’ is the Madagaskar turtle dove’s motto when it comes to nest-building: its nest consists of just a few loosely arranged twigs.

Red List

Least Concern

The Madagaskar turtle dove is found in Madagascar, Mauritius, La Réunion and the Seychelles. It prefers forests, but also inhabits open landscapes dotted with scattered groups of trees. The dove forages for food on the forest floor. It feeds on seeds, fallen fruit and insects.

Like all species of pigeon, the Madagaskar turtle dove displays a typical courtship behaviour involving head-bobbing and courtship flights. It lives in pairs. When food is plentiful, the pigeons gather in large flocks.

To breed, the Madagaskar turtle dove builds a temporary nest of small twigs in the forks of tree branches. The female lays two eggs.