Plain-Breasted Ground Dove or Ruddy Ground Dove?
Here's how to tell the difference
Plain-Breasted Ground Dove
Ruddy 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
View full detailsRuddy Ground Dove
Columbina talpacoti
General appearance
The Ruddy Ground Dove mainly embodies a reddish-orange color, complemented with shades of black, brown, gray, and white. Its physical structure is around 6.5 to 7 inches long and approximately 16 1/2 to 18 inches in width, symbolizing proportions akin to that of a sparrow or robin. The bird possesses a noticeable lack of a scaly pattern on its chest and pink hue on its bill. The wings and tail are in a rounded, short, square-tipped form.
Male vs female
The male Ruddy Ground Dove carries more pronounced reddish tones compared to the females. While both sexes feature black spots on the wings, males distinguish themselves with additional black markings on the scapulars, which is the area located above the wings.
Juvenile
Information on the appearances of juvenile Ruddy Ground Doves as compared to adults isn't currently available. However, in many species of doves, juveniles tend to have more muted colors and less distinctive markings, gaining their full adult coloration and patterning as they mature.
Size
6.5 - 7.1 in/1.4 - 2.0 oz
There's more to learn about Ruddy Ground Dove
View full detailsHow to tell the Plain-Breasted Ground Dove from the Ruddy Ground Dove
Visual differences
The Plain-Breasted Ground Dove is smaller (5.5-6.3 inches, 0.85-0.92 oz) and has a grey-brown plumage with a bluish-grey crown and pinkish-brown body. It features black-spotted wings and a broad, black-tipped tail. In contrast, the Ruddy Ground Dove is larger (6.5-7 inches, 1.4-2 oz) with a distinctive reddish-orange coloration and lacks a scaly chest pattern. It has a short, square-tipped tail. The Ruddy Ground Dove's beak lacks the pinkish hue seen in the Plain-Breasted Ground Dove.
Key differences and behavior
The Plain-Breasted Ground Dove and the Ruddy Ground Dove exhibit notable behavioral differences. The Plain-Breasted Ground Dove, weighing around 0.8-0.9 oz and measuring 5.5-6.3 inches, is generally observed in pairs or small groups, foraging on seeds in open fields. It nests in low shrubs or on the ground with a straightforward courtship. In contrast, the Ruddy Ground Dove, weighing 1.4-2 oz and measuring 6.5-7 inches, is notably aggressive, often engaging in wing-slapping fights. It inhabits a wider range, including urban areas, and builds nests 3-6 feet high in trees. Both species show biparental care, but the Ruddy Dove’s nesting involves more cooperative pair bonding. While both are seed-eaters, Ruddy Ground Doves might occasionally visit feeders, whereas the Plain-Breasted prefers ground feeding.
Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!
Plain-Breasted Ground Dove vs Common Ground-Dove
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