Lucky Bird: Turtle Dove Seen in Illinois for First Time in Decades A turtle dove, a species more typically seen in the eastern and southern U.S., was spotted in Illinois last week, giving bird enthusiasts something to cheer about. The sighting was documented by local photographer Roy Dengler, who observed the bird foraging for food in a soybean field near Wilmette. "It was really a sight to see," Dengler said of the dove. "I couldn't believe my eyes." He added that he had never seen a turtle dove in Illinois before, noting that they are typically only found in the eastern and southern parts of the United States. Dendrologists say that the appearance of a turtle dove in Illinois is likely due to changes in climate patterns, which have made the northern United States hospitable to more southern species. "It's not surprising that we're starting to see more southerly species showing up here in Illinois," said Tom Sellmer, a dendrologist