Streptopelia decaocto
Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication.
The Streptopelia decaocto is the bird that is said to have " wanted to conquer the world". Hence the high degree of adaptability in lowland, hilly or mountainous areas, from villages to the busiest cities. Thanks to the intelligence of adaptation and survival, the Streptopelia decaocto lives around 20 years.
Anyway, with the song " gu-gu-Pike “(an onomatopoeia called in English” koo-koo-kook"), this winged one does nothing but defend its territory and try to attract a pair!
The names in current use, over time, only partially correspond to scientific distinctions between species. The koo-koo-kook is also called Eurasian Turtledove, Turtledove Turtledove or Turkish pigeon.
Its scientific name, Streptopelia decaocto, comes from the Latin words “streptos” (meaning “collar”) + “peleia” (meaning “Dove”), and “decaocto” (meaning "eighteen"in Latin).
The number 18 here has its origin in an ancient Greek legend, in which a poor girl was paid for her work, each year, with only 18 coins. She would have prayed to the gods to make known to the whole world the minuscule amount of money that her mistress gave her, and as a result, Zeus would have created the koo-koo-kook, a bird that cries all the time “deca-octo” (gu-gu-Pike).
According to another ancient legend, Decaocto was a servant who was converted into such a turtleneck by the deities because he refused to pay his annual fee consisting of 18 coins.
In a Christian legend, the Streptopelia decaocto is associated with the thirst that engulfed Christ nailed to the cross. A Roman soldier wanted to buy him a bowl of milk that cost 18 Coins, but he only had 17. Because he was unable to quench the Saviour’s thirst, he was cursed and turned into a Streptopelia decaocto, the bird that constantly repeats the number eighteen (deca-octo).
You, Streptopelia decaoctos, who came to us, we love you because the whole universe conspired to meet you. We are sorry that the meeting was extremely short, because of the predator who chased you and hurt you. Thank you!