Our Turtle Dove Mix is designed to do one thing really well: support the last few Turtle Doves in the UK with the food they actually need. It’s tested in real gardens by real Wiggly customers – ensuring it’s not just well-meaning, but effective and easy to use.
What’s in the Mix?
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40% Sunflower Hearts – full of energy and easy to eat
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10% Wheat – a natural and traditional part of their summer diet
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10% White Millet – a true favourite of Turtle Doves and finches
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15% Linseed – high in omega-3 for feather and heart health
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10% Safflower – nutritious and naturally squirrel-resistant
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5% Red Dari – a useful grain for stamina during breeding
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10% Oilseed Rape – a small, energy-rich seed ideal for ground feeders
🧠 Why these seeds?
Turtle Doves naturally feed on small seeds from arable plants, wildflowers, and grasses. Habitat loss means they now struggle to find this vital food. This mix mimics their lost diet with high-quality, digestible seeds – and without the waste.
Why Turtle Doves Matter
These beautiful birds were once a familiar sound of summer, their soft “purring” coo echoing through hedgerows and farmland. But numbers have plummeted by over 90% in the UK. Today, Turtle Doves are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern, and face extinction here without urgent action.
By putting out the right food in the right way, we can all play a role in giving them a fighting chance.
The Lovebird of Legend
Turtle Doves have been symbols of love and devotion for centuries. In poetry, folklore, and even the Bible, they represent faithful partnership and peace – they mate for life and are known for their gentle loyalty.
And of course, they’re the stars of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”:
🎵 “On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… two Turtle Doves…”
But these romantic birds are vanishing from British skies. Feeding them isn’t just good for conservation – it’s a small act of kindness rooted in hope, love, and connection to nature.
When and How to Feed
Turtle Doves arrive from Africa in late spring, needing rest, food, and safe spaces to breed. This is when your garden can really help.
💡 Wiggly Tips:
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Feed on the ground or low tray – doves rarely perch to feed
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Choose a quiet spot near hedgerows or wildflower cover
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Provide fresh water daily for drinking and bathing
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Clean feeding spots often to prevent disease
This isn’t just a bird mix – it’s a little love letter to one of Britain’s most beautiful birds.
By feeding Wiggly’s Turtle Dove Mix, you’re giving nature a nudge in the right direction. It’s part conservation, part romance, and entirely worth it. To find out more about saving Turtle Doves google Operation Turtle Dove.
From Our Farm to Your Footprint – Feed the Love.
