Bare-faced Ground Dove
NameBare-faced Ground Dove
Common NameBare-faced Ground Dove
Scientific NameMetriopelia ceciliae
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)26.5
Length (cm)16
Weight (g)45
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are brownish-grey with darker feather centers giving a distinct scaly pattern, especially on the back and wing coverts. Underparts are paler, buffy-white. The most striking feature is the large, bare orange-yellow skin patch surrounding the eye. Primary feathers are dark.
Vocalization / CallTypically a soft, low, mournful cooing call, often a series of repeated notes.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsdesert, mountain, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Andes mountains of South America, ranging from central Peru south through Bolivia and northern Chile to northwestern Argentina.
Identifying FeaturesProminent bare orange-yellow skin around the eye, Small size, Brownish-grey plumage with scaly pattern on upperparts, Short tail
Description
A small, stocky ground dove characterized by its brownish-grey plumage with a scaly appearance on the back and wings. It is most notable for the prominent bare orange-yellow skin patch around its eye. This species primarily forages on the ground for seeds.
