Plain-Breasted Ground Dove vs Common Ground-Dove

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

How to recognise a plain-breasted ground dove?

General appearance

Plain-breasted ground doves are small birds with a generally grey-brown plumage. The species showcases a distinctive bluish-grey crown and nape, contrasting a pinkish-brown body. The wings have black spotting, and the tail is broad and black-tipped. Their eyes show a unique crimson red hue, encircled by a thin blue eye ring.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is minimal in plain-breasted ground doves. However, females tend to be slightly duller in coloration compared to males. The females display more of a brownish-grey color, whereas males exhibit a pinkish hue on their chests.

Juvenile

Juvenile plain-breasted ground doves resemble adults but are generally less vibrant in color. They lack the adult's distinctive bluish-grey crown and have a more uniform greyish-brown coloration. They are also devoid of the black spotting typically seen on the wings.

Size

5.5 - 6.3 in/0.8 - 0.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The plain-breasted ground dove primarily resides in the dry savanna and subtropical or tropical regions of South America.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, this species can also thrive in human-modified areas such as plantations and gardens, expanding its range beyond natural habitats.

Range Map

What do plain-breasted ground doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The plain-breasted ground dove primarily feeds on a variety of small seeds found on the ground. It commonly forages in open fields and grasslands, consuming seeds from grasses, weeds, and other low-growing plants. It may also eat small insects and other invertebrates, though these form a minor part of its diet. The bird is well adapted to exploiting the seed resources that occur in its natural habitat.

Bird feeders

While not a frequent visitor to bird feeders, the plain-breasted ground dove may sometimes consume seeds commonly offered in feeders. These may include millets, cracked corn, and other smaller grains. Due to their ground-feeding habits, they are more likely to be attracted to platform feeders or scattered food on the ground. The species prefers areas where seeds are readily accessible and usually avoid feeders that are elevated or designed for perching birds.

What does a plain-breasted ground dove sound like?

The Plain-Breasted Ground Dove, also known as Columbina minuta, has a distinct, soft cooing vocalization. Its song is a a repetitive “coo-rup” or “coo-roo-rup”, starting at a high pitch and gradually descending. This dove also produces shorter calls when disturbed. The vocalizations are soft and subtle in nature, often seen as a characteristic of the ground-dwelling bird species.

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Common Ground-Dove

Columbina passerina

How to recognise a common ground-dove?

General appearance

The common ground-dove has a small and short-tailed physique, measuring around 6 1/2 inches in length. They typically feature a scaly pattern on their chest and head. Their bill has a pink base and their wings often display a bright rusty red. When in flight, their short black tail reveals pale corners.

Male vs female

The sex of the common ground-dove is not distinctively distinguishable. Both males and females share similar physical traits such as short-rounded tails and short-rounded wings. However, the males may have more vibrant coloration across the wings. The color variations include black, brown, grey, pink, and red.

Juvenile

Juvenile common ground-doves may initially have a short tail and also display the characteristic scaly pattern. Over time, their tail grows and they adopt the standard appearance of the adult ground dove. Juveniles are similar in size to a sparrow, while adult ground doves are about the size of a robin.

Size

5.9 - 7.1 in/1.0 - 1.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common ground-dove predominantly inhabits semi-open habitats, including farms, orchards, wood edges, and roadsides with low brush and grass. These environments provide cover and food resources.

Additional range

In the southeast, the common ground-dove is found in brushy fields and the understory of open pine woods. Meanwhile in the southwest, it is seen in similar environments as well as in ranch yards, and mesquite thickets along streams.

Range Map

What do common ground-doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The common ground-dove primarily feeds on a variety of seeds. It especially prefers seeds from grasses and weeds, but its diet also includes waste grain found in farm fields. Additionally, the dove will consume small fruits and berries, as well as some insects, though seeds remain its main food source.

Bird feeders

The common ground-dove may occasionally visit bird feeders, where it is likely to consume commercially available birdseed mixes. These mixes often include seeds that mimic its natural diet, such as millet, cracked corn, and other small seeds. However, its preference for seeds found in its natural habitat is stronger.

What does a common ground-dove sound like?

The common ground-dove vocalizes soft cooing notes. It produces a melody in the pattern of 'coo-oo, coo-oo, coo-oo,' characterized by a rising inflection at the end of each coo. These sounds are considered its call, categorized under the 'hoot' call type due to the soft, low, and somewhat owl-like sounds it produces. Its gentle coos and hoots are quite distinctive and exemplify the typical sounds associated with the dove species.

Call

Audio by G. McGrane

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Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

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Common Ground-Dove

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

General appearance

Plain-breasted ground doves are small birds with a generally grey-brown plumage. The species showcases a distinctive bluish-grey crown and nape, contrasting a pinkish-brown body. The wings have black spotting, and the tail is broad and black-tipped. Their eyes show a unique crimson red hue, encircled by a thin blue eye ring.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is minimal in plain-breasted ground doves. However, females tend to be slightly duller in coloration compared to males. The females display more of a brownish-grey color, whereas males exhibit a pinkish hue on their chests.

Juvenile

Juvenile plain-breasted ground doves resemble adults but are generally less vibrant in color. They lack the adult's distinctive bluish-grey crown and have a more uniform greyish-brown coloration. They are also devoid of the black spotting typically seen on the wings.

Size

5.5 - 6.3 in/0.8 - 0.9 oz

There's more to learn about Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

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Common Ground-Dove

Columbina passerina

General appearance

The common ground-dove has a small and short-tailed physique, measuring around 6 1/2 inches in length. They typically feature a scaly pattern on their chest and head. Their bill has a pink base and their wings often display a bright rusty red. When in flight, their short black tail reveals pale corners.

Male vs female

The sex of the common ground-dove is not distinctively distinguishable. Both males and females share similar physical traits such as short-rounded tails and short-rounded wings. However, the males may have more vibrant coloration across the wings. The color variations include black, brown, grey, pink, and red.

Juvenile

Juvenile common ground-doves may initially have a short tail and also display the characteristic scaly pattern. Over time, their tail grows and they adopt the standard appearance of the adult ground dove. Juveniles are similar in size to a sparrow, while adult ground doves are about the size of a robin.

Size

5.9 - 7.1 in/1.0 - 1.4 oz

There's more to learn about Common Ground-Dove

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How to tell the Plain-Breasted Ground Dove from the Common Ground-Dove

Visual differences

The Plain-Breasted Ground Dove is smaller (5.5-6.3 in, 0.85-0.92 oz) than the Common Ground-Dove (6.5-7 in, 0.99-1.4 oz). The Plain-Breasted has a pinkish-brown body with bluish-grey crown, black wing spots, and a crimson eye. In contrast, the Common Ground-Dove displays a scaly pattern on its chest and head, with a short black tail, rusty red wings, and a pink-base beak. The Plain-Breasted's tail is broad and black-tipped, while the Common's tail shows pale corners when in flight.

Key differences and behavior

The Plain-Breasted and Common Ground-Doves exhibit distinct behaviors despite sharing similarities. Both favor ground feeding, mainly on seeds, with occasional insects. While the Plain-Breasted Dove (length: 5.5-6.3 inches, weight: 0.85-0.92 oz) is typically found in dry savannas and human-modified landscapes like gardens, the Common Ground-Dove (length: 6-7 inches, weight: 1-1.4 oz) prefers semi-open habitats, including farms and orchards. Breeding behaviors differ; Plain-Breasted Doves engage in simple courtship displays, with nesting often on the ground or in low shrubs, while Common Doves perform elaborate displays, and nest on low trees or shrubs. Both are social, but Common Doves may involve in multiple male competition for mates. Finally, Plain-Breasted Doves occasionally visit ground feeders, whereas Common Doves are more inclined to visit for seed mixes, but both species lean towards natural seed sources.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

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Plain-Breasted Ground Dove or Common Ground-Dove?

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

How to recognise a plain-breasted ground dove?

Habitat

What do plain-breasted ground doves like to eat?

What does a plain-breasted ground dove sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

Common Ground-Dove

How to recognise a common ground-dove?

Habitat

What do common ground-doves like to eat?

What does a common ground-dove sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Common Ground-Dove

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

There's more to learn about Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

Common Ground-Dove

There's more to learn about Common Ground-Dove

How to tell the Plain-Breasted Ground Dove from the Common Ground-Dove

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove vs Ruddy Ground Dove

Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

Ruddy Ground Dove

Common Ground-Dove vs Mourning Dove

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Mourning Dove

Common Ground-Dove vs Inca Dove

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Inca Dove

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Plain-Breasted Ground Dove

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