Turtle Dove
Made to order in Salado, TX · Ships in 2–4 business days
Price range: $49.99 through $64.99
A turtle dove perched at rest on a leafy branch, measuring 7" high × 10.5" wide, laser cut from 1/8-inch steel, that taps into a tree trunk, wooden fence or garden post with a few hammer strikes. Choose Raw Steel, which arrives bare and rusts naturally outdoors to a warm brown patina with no paint or upkeep, or Black Powder Coat, the same piece finished in black. Cut to order in Texas (free US shipping over $85).
- 30-day returns
- Damaged or wrong item replaced or refunded
Gallery photographs show bare or weathered raw steel. A black-finish photograph is not supplied.
The name has nothing to do with turtles.
It comes from the sound. The bird says turr, turr — a low, drowsy purring from deep inside a hedge on a hot afternoon — and people who heard it centuries ago simply wrote down what they heard. The Latin name says the same thing twice: Streptopelia turtur. Everything else about the word is a coincidence.
We had this one cut at rest, in the shape people picture when they picture a dove.
They are a summer bird and a long-distance one. Turtle doves arrive in Europe in April, nest, and by September are gone again — across the Mediterranean and the Sahara to spend the winter in Africa, a journey of some three thousand miles, made by a bird that weighs about five ounces.
There is a harder fact behind the gentle reputation. Turtle doves have declined catastrophically over the last fifty years, by more than ninety percent in parts of their range. But a hunting moratorium along the western migration route has begun to turn it, and the numbers there have started to climb again. It is early, and it is real.
For a bird that stands for peace and reconciliation, that seems worth knowing.
Set it somewhere quiet — a hedge line, a gatepost, the side of a shed.
Details
- Design: The turtle dove perched at rest on a leafy branch
- Size: 7" high × 10.5" wide, approx. 8 oz
- Material: 1/8-inch American steel
- Finish: Choose Raw Steel (arrives bare, rusts naturally outdoors) or Black Powder Coat
- Mounting: Built-in hammer-in spike for trees, fences and wooden posts
- Made in Texas: Laser cut to order in our family-owned shop
How to Set It
1. Pick a spot on a tree trunk, wooden fence or post — eye level from a window is best.
2. Hold the spike at a slight downward angle against the wood.
3. Tap the thick end of the spike with a hammer or mallet until it is firm.
No drilling, no screws, no other tools.
The Finish
Pick your finish from the Finish menu on this listing.
Raw Steel (Rusts Naturally): Your piece arrives as bare, raw steel — a clean steel gray. Outdoors, rain and dew turn it a warm rust brown, usually over the first few weeks, and the color keeps deepening with the weather. There is no paint or coating, so there is nothing to peel, fade or touch up. While the rust is forming, rust-colored runoff can mark pale stone, concrete or siding directly below it, so set it over wood, soil or mulch. Prefer the bare steel look? Keep it indoors or out of the rain.
Black Powder Coat: The same steel piece, powder coated in black. It arrives black rather than bare, does not develop the rust patina, and leaves no rust runoff, so it can go over pale stone, concrete or siding. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth. If it ever gets chipped, a dab of black exterior metal paint touches it up.
Processing & Shipping
Cut to order in our shop in Texas. Please allow 2–4 business days before your order ships. Orders of $99 or more ship free within the United States; under that, shipping is a flat $14.92. We ship within the United States only.
Returns
100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you are not happy with your piece for any reason, email [email protected] within 30 days of delivery and we will make it right with a replacement or a full refund.
About Our Photos
Some listing images are created or edited with AI-assisted tools to show the piece in an outdoor setting. The design and size you receive match this listing.
About Shadow Birds
Every Shadow Birds piece is cut from solid American steel and made in Texas. Browse the shop for more birds, Garden Folk, Seasonal & Holiday designs and Critters.
Questions? We're Glad to Help.
Send us a message anytime. Ordering several for a family, a memorial service, a garden club or a store? Just ask — we are happy to set up larger orders.
They’d feel at home, too.
Cardinal & Winter Berries
American Robin
Woodpecker Stake
