The Spotted Dove, also known as the eastern spotted dove, mountain dove, pearl-necked dove, lace-necked dove, or spotted turtle dove, was formally described in 1786 by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli. Formerly placed in the genus Streptopelia along with other turtle-doves, scientific studies have shown that it differs sufficiently to be classified in the genus Spilopelia. Because these birds often flush suddenly into the air when disturbed, they can pose a hazard on airfields, occasionally colliding with aircraft and causing damage.
The spotted dove’s familiar call is often rendered as “Krookruk-krukroo… kroo kroo kroo.” During my childhood, my mother would interpret this call as saying, “Kuttikkuro, kuru othoo, kuru othoo” meaning, “Dear child, the seeds are all there, the seeds are all there.”
She would then narrate a touching folk tale behind this lament.
According to the story, a mother dove entrusted her young one with frying a measure of pea seeds before leaving the nest. When she returned, the fried peas appeared to be fewer in quantity than what she had left behind. Suspecting that her child had eaten some of them, she questioned it. Although the young bird insisted that it had not eaten even a single pea, the mother believed it was lying. In a fit of anger, she pecked her child repeatedly until it died.
Later, she carefully counted the seeds and discovered that every single one was present. The peas had merely shrunk during frying, making them appear fewer in measure. Realizing her terrible mistake, the grief-stricken mother dove began crying, “The seeds are all there, the seeds are all there.” According to the legend, her sorrowful call continues to echo through the countryside to this day, serving as a reminder of the consequences of suspicion and hasty judgment.
– Vincent Vanur
