Ruddy Quail-Dove

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Ruddy Quail-Dove
Conservation status
Least concern (LC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: Geotrygon Species: G. montana
Binomial name
Geotrygon montana (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes doves and pigeons.

It breeds throughout the the West Indies, Central America, and tropical South America. It has appeared as a vagrant in Florida and southern Texas. It lays two buff colored eggs on a flimsy platform built on a shrub. Some nests are built on the ground.

The Ruddy Quail-Dove is approximately 19-28 cm in length. The bird is distinguished by having a rust colored back, facial mask and similarly colored wings. The breast, rump and undereye stripe are lighter brown.

This bird is found in woodland and scrub forest. It also has adapted to coffee plantations. It is somewhat sensitive to forest fragmentation. These birds forage on the ground, mainly eating seeds. It will also take small invertebrates in its diet. Ruddy Quail-Doves feed primarily on the ground.

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Geotrygon montana. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• "National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-792-26877-6
• Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol 4, Josep del Hoyo editor, ISBN 84-87334-22-9