The European Turtle Dove – Portugal 2002

The Madeira Post, Portugal, has collaborated with WWF Organisation to issue  the stamp series depict The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) on August 30, 2002. The official first day cover also issued as the local WWF cover which depicts this bird and a specific postmark which drawn the two european turtle dove.

The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), also known as Turtle Dove, is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes the doves and pigeons.the European Turtle Dove may be recognised by its browner colour, and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. The tail is notable as the bird flies from the observer; it is wedge shaped, with a dark centre and white borders and tips. Smaller and slighter in build than many other doves, it measures 24–29 cm  in length, 47–55 cm  in wingspan and weighs 85–170 g .

The European Turtle Dove, one of the latest migrants, rarely appears in Northern Europe before the end of April, returning south again in September.According to the State of Europe's Common Birds 2007 report, the European Turtle Dove population in Europe has fallen by 62% in recent times