I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.
-Audrey Hepburn
The word "turtle" does not have any connection to the shelled reptile. The name comes from the Latin word describing its plaintive cooing sound "tur tur" that it is traditionally known to sing affectionately to its mate. The European Turtle dove has a purring "tur tur" wheras the Oriental Turtle dove has higher pitched "tur tur" followed by a lower pitched "tur tur".
The term "turtle doves" is used to symbolically to describe loving and caring couples.
Oriental Turtle Dove
Sony A77ii
Tamron 150-600
460mm, 1/640s, f/6.3, ISO 2500,
Barlowganj, Mussoorie (India)
May 2017