Croaking Ground Dove

Croaking Ground Dove – Latin name: Columbina cruziana

Croaking Ground-Dove is widespread and common throughout its range in western Ecuador, western Peru, Ecuador, and northern Chile. They occur in open arid habitat, including agricultural and urban areas. Although primarily found on the lower Andean slopes, they also enter inter-mountain valleys and occur up to 2800 meters.

Croaking Ground Dove

Croaking Ground Dove

They are often in groups, in which they forage for seeds on the ground. Visually, they can be separated from other ground-doves by the black primaries, distinctive chestnut scapular bar, and orange-yellow color on the bill’s base. Furthermore, their call is distinctive and very unlike a dove: a harsh, croaking, “po-WEE-at“.

NOTE: The Croaking Ground Dove is a new addition to my Bird List as: # 172

Text © The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All photographs © H.J. Ruiz- Avian 101

2 thoughts on “Croaking Ground Dove

  1. Great pictures, especially the last one. I love that almost phosphorescent bill and the color you’ve captured in the feathers. Doves always surprise me because they often look deceivingly plain from a distance but they can be quite beautiful.

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