Common Ground-Dove

Common Ground-Dove, adult; McAllen, TX; March

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The smallest dove in the United States, the Common Ground-Dove is a bird of the southern United States and tropical America. Aptly named, it feeds and nests on the ground.

Description

Small, stocky dove. Grayish brown body. Short neck. Short, dark tail with white corners. Wings flash rufous in flight. Small bill reddish at base, black on tip.

• Size: 15-18 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 27 cm (11 in)
• Weight: 28-40 g (0.99-1.41 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but male with bluish nape and brighter legs when breeding.

Sound

A moaning, rising "whooah," repeated monotonously.

Conservation Status

Generally common; may be declining in some areas and increasing in others. Listed in New Mexico as "Endangered" and in Alabama as a "species of special concern."

Other Names

Colombe à queue noire (French)
Columbina común, Palomito de suelos, rolita (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic), tajosa (Cuba), Tórtola coquita (Mexico) (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Common Ground-Dove appears to hold permanent territories, but overt acts of aggression among territorial birds are relatively rare.

• The Common Ground-Dove stays with its mate throughout the year and between years.

Sources used to construct this page:

Bowman, R. 2002. Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina). In The Birds of North America, No. 645 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.