Ruddy Quail-Dove

Overview
Ruddy Quail-Dove: Medium-sized dove, rufous overall with pale buff throat, streak under eye, and belly. Red-brown underwings shown in flight. Black tipped red bill, red legs and feet. Forages on the ground for seeds, fruit and small snails. Swift direct flight on rapidly beating wings.

Range and Habitat
Ruddy Quail-Dove: Native of Mexico, Central American, and South America, but a rare vagrant in the southern U.S. Found in semi-arid and humid woodlands, scrub, and forests.

The Ruddy Quail-Dove is a member of the same family of birds which includes all doves and pigeons. Preferred breeding grounds are found in the West Indies, Central America and southern South America. This species has occasionally been spotted in Florida and southern Texas. Nests are built in low shrubs or on the ground. The Ruddy Quail-Dove prefers habitats which include forests and scrublands. Coffee plantations also serve as home to the species. These birds forage on the ground for food, and their diets consist mainly of seeds and invertebrates. The conservation rating for the Ruddy Quail-Dove is currently Least Concern.

INTERESTING FACTS
The Ruddy Quail-Dove is somewhat sensitive to forest fragmentation. It dwells on the forest floor, where it is more often heard than seen. A group of doves has many collective nouns, including a "bevy", "cote", "dole", "dule", and "flight" of doves.