Hello everyone, I'm your headline editor. Today we are going to talk about a common bird in the countryside - turtle dove. You may wonder why there are so few people eating this turtledove, which is the size of a pigeon, in the countryside? Can it be poisoned? Let's uncover this mystery together.
### Introduction of the turtledove
The turtle dove, also known as the spot-breasted dove, is about 25 centimeters long and is similar in size to the common pigeon. They have elegant plumage and distinctive spots on their chests, hence their name. Turtle doves are mainly distributed in rural areas of the mainland, and often appear in farmland, mountains, forests and other places. They feed on grains and insects, and especially prefer to feed on grains from rice fields, so they are regarded as "thieves" for farmers.
### Why do turtledoves eat so little?
You may wonder why people in rural areas are reluctant to eat more of turtle doves because they have a wide range of food habits?
#### 1. 斑鸠肉量极少
First of all, turtle doves are similar in size to ordinary pigeons, but their meat is very limited. An adult turtle dove usually weighs no more than 200 grams, compared to an average pigeon that can weigh more than 400 grams. Since turtledoves contain a lot of bones and internal organs, there are only a few mouthfuls of meat that can actually be eaten, and it cannot satisfy people's hunger.
#### 2. 斑鸠肉质较粗糙
Secondly, the meat of turtle doves is relatively coarse, and the taste is not as delicate as that of ordinary pigeons. This is because turtledoves move freely in the wild, and their muscles are more exercised, resulting in a more chewy meat. In contrast, ordinary pigeons are mainly bred in captivity, and the choice of feed and living environment make their meat more delicate.
#### 3. Turtle doves can carry parasites
In addition, turtle doves inhabit the wild and have a more diverse food source, but it also increases the likelihood that they can carry parasites. Although turtle doves themselves do not have parasites of particular concern, there is still a risk of infection once they are eaten from inadequately cooked turtle dove meat. Therefore, it is widely believed that in order to avoid potential health risks, it is better to choose safer meat ingredients.
### The truth about the poisoning of turtledoves
Regarding the question of whether turtledoves will be poisoned if they eat it, let's analyze it in detail.
In fact, turtledoves do not have deadly toxins or toxic substances, and there is no definite risk of poisoning. However, if turtle doves consume the fruits of certain poisonous plants during feeding, their flesh may contain trace amounts of toxins. But under normal circumstances, it is completely safe for people to consume turtledove meat in moderation.
Of course, we also want to emphasize that any wild animal meat consumption needs to follow scientific cooking methods to ensure that the food is clean and cooked thoroughly. This is the only way to reduce the possible risks associated with the consumption of wild animals.
As a common small bird in rural areas, the turtle dove is not common on the dinner table because of its small amount of meat and slightly rough taste, although it is similar in size to ordinary pigeons. There is no definite scientific basis for the problem that turtledoves will be poisoned if they are eaten. If consumed, be sure to cook thoroughly to ensure table safety.
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