turtledove

A small wild pigeon. This bird migrates through Israel in the spring on the way from its winter quarters in Africa to its breeding areas in Europe. The turtledove is mentioned in the Bible mainly as a sacrifice (Gen 15:9; Lev 1:14; Lev 5:7), although (Jer 8:7) alludes to its seasonal appearance (see also Song 2:12). In (Luke 2:24), Mary sacrifices a turtledove after the birth of Jesus.