THEMigratory Birdlife Office of the Italian Federation of Hunting has released the first data on the results of the collection of the wings of turtledoves during the 2016 hunting season. This analysis made it possible to understand that hunters can make a valuable contribution to knowledge of the species, although the champion will have to increase in the coming seasons. The fact that it is the first year, then, means that real conclusions cannot yet be drawn.
The project started after a request from the European Union regarding the slaughter of turtle doves. The collection of wings involved 189 birds from various Italian regions and provinces. The differences between the various areas can be understood from now on: 77% of the sample consisted of young specimens (145 turtle doves killed), while the remaining 23% (44 birds) concerned adult turtle doves.
As pointed out by the Office, this means that the reproduction of the species is still active, without forgetting that juveniles are typically more numerous in hunters' bags. The whole hunting world will have to commit to conservation, at the same time sensitizing the administrations. Land use change and poaching in places of winteringfinally, they will have to be addressed more concretely.