White-faced Quail-Dove

The white-faced quail-dove, a member of the Columbidae family, is a medium-sized bird with a length ranging from 28 to 31.5 cm. It is characterized by a gray crown that darkens towards the nape, cinnamon-colored hindneck and sides of the neck with an appearance of dark furrows due to loose feathers, and chestnut upperparts with a bluish violet gloss. The wings are a dark dusky grayish brown, while the face is pale grayish buff, transitioning to a pale buff chin and throat. The breast is a buffy gray, becoming lighter and more cinnamon-toned towards the belly. Adults boast an orange to red eye encircled by bare blue-gray skin, and their legs and feet are a striking red. Juveniles, on the other hand, display a pale brown crown, brown upperparts with dusky bars, and a tawny brown breast and sides with dusky bars.

Identification Tips

When identifying the white-faced quail-dove, look for the distinctive pale grayish buff face, the gradation of gray and cinnamon on the body, and the red legs and feet. The orange to red eye surrounded by blue-gray skin is also a key feature. Juveniles can be recognized by their more uniformly brown plumage with dusky barring.

Habitat

This species inhabits humid montane forests, including evergreen and pine-evergreen types, and can also be found in shade coffee plantations. It thrives at elevations between 1,000 and 2,700 meters.

Distribution

The white-faced quail-dove is found discontinuously across several southern states of Mexico, much of Guatemala and Honduras, and in smaller areas of northern El Salvador and northwestern Nicaragua.

Behaviour

These doves are typically seen foraging alone or in pairs, walking on the ground under dense cover. They roost above the ground, preferring to walk or hop along branches to reach their roosting site, and have been observed roosting in groups of up to eight.

Song & calls

The song of the white-faced quail-dove is a low, hollow, and mournful "whoooo" or "whoo'oo," reflecting the serene environments they inhabit.

Breeding

The breeding season of the white-faced quail-dove varies geographically and has not been extensively studied. Their nests are loosely constructed from sticks and are well concealed, sometimes placed as high as 6 meters off the ground. They typically lay a clutch of two eggs.

Diet and Feeding

While the specific diet of the white-faced quail-dove has not been documented, it is presumed to consist of seeds, fallen fruits, and possibly insects.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the white-faced quail-dove as Least Concern. Despite its large range, the population is believed to be in decline, and it is considered threatened in Mexico.