Atypical nesting and some aspects of nesting biology of the Eastern Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)

This paper represents a description of the Eastern Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) 15 nests found by the author. Nine of them were found in the Jewish Autonomous region and six – in the Amur region. There was a single case of this species atypical nesting on the ground, the description and photographs provided. In addition, it was examined 14 (93%) cases of typical nesting in trees and shrubs. The locations of typical Eastern Turtle Dove nests have been described, and the following tree species have been identified as typical nest sites for the Eastern Turtle Dove: various willow species (Salix), including the Goat willow (S. caprea), Japanese elm (Ulmus japonica), pine (Pinus sylvestris), Korean cedar (Pinus koraiensis), Hinggan Fir (Abies nephrolepis), Asian bird cherry (Padus asiatica), hazel (Corylus), and birch (Betula). The nest location heights of the Eastern Turtle Dove range from 3–4 cm to 4–5 m. Most nests found contained two eggs, representing a full clutch. However, there was an only case when one egg was recorded, and information was obtained about this species clutch of three eggs. The author has described some behavioral features of the Eastern Turtle Dove during the nesting period. It is for the first time that such research for the Jewish Autonomous region has been published. The study outlines some nesting parameters timing for the turtle dove: April 24th marks the earliest recorded incubation, on June 7th – the earliest fledglings were observed, and on July 2nd it was found the latest empty nest. Furthermore, the study presents literature on turtle dove nesting in other parts of Russia, including data on typical and atypical nests, and possible reasons for their occurrence.