Ecuadorian Ground Dove

Overview

The Ecuadorian ground dove (Columbina buckleyi) is a small bird belonging to the family Columbidae, native to Ecuador and Peru. It is classified by the IUCN as being of Least Concern.

Identification

• Males possess a grayish pink forehead and face that darkens to deep mauve on the breast and underparts, with bluish gray crowns and brownish gray upperparts.
• Females are browner than males with less pink wash.
• Approximately 18 cm long and weighing about 57 g.
• Song consists of a series of evenly-spaced, low-pitched slightly upslurred cooing notes, described as "huWOO...huWOO...huWOO...."

Habitat

The species is found from Esmeraldas Province in north-western Ecuador to the far north of Peru, including the Marañon Valley. It inhabits a range of landscapes including dry open semi-deciduous and deciduous woodland, thicker woodland, gardens, agricultural areas, and more humid young secondary forest between sea level and 2,000 m in elevation.

Diet

Feeding behaviour and diet have not been studied, but the bird probably feeds on small seeds like others of its genus.

Did you know?

Unlike the flimsy stick platforms typical of most other doves, the Ecuadorian ground dove constructs strong, cup-shaped nests placed in bushes or trees up to 7 m above ground.