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.
Taxonomy
Pigeons (Columbidae), genus Nesoenas (2 species)
Habitat
damp forests, open landscapes with trees up to 2,000 metres above sea level
Migratory behaviour
sedentary
Social structure
in pairs; in groups when food is plentiful
