Sunday, February 26, 2023

Ruddy Quail-Dove

This is a continuation of doves and pigeons in Jamaica. 

The ruddy quail-dove is found throughout the West Indies, Central America and tropical South America. It forages on the ground eating seeds and small invertebrates. eBird notes that it is "shy and infrequently seen." 
It has: (a) a distinctive orange eye ring; (b) pinkish red legs, feet and bill with a light purple tip; (c) a yellowish rump and lower belly; (d) a distinctive stripe beneath the eye which goes from the side of the head to below the beak, outlined on each side by dark brown with a whitish tan center; (e) a ruddy brown chest and upper belly with whitish tan streaking; and (f) a darker brown back, feathers and tail with varying shades of brown. 


I saw this one ruddy quail-dove at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary outside Montego Bay. 

1 comment:

  1. I wonder why the feet are such a livid color of pink? To match the beak? There must be an evolution-related reason.

    ReplyDelete