Golden-spotted Ground Dove
NameGolden-spotted Ground Dove
Common NameGolden-spotted Ground Dove
Scientific NameMetriopelia aymara
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)26
Length (cm)18
Weight (g)50
Plumage DetailsOverall pale sandy-grey to brownish-grey plumage, with a paler belly. The most striking features are the iridescent golden-yellow spots on the primary coverts and distinct black spots on the secondary coverts. The bill is dark, and the legs are reddish-pink.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is typically a soft, low, repeated cooing sound, often described as a series of 'coo-coo-coo' notes.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsmountain, grassland, desert
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the high Andes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina, typically at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Pale sandy-grey plumage, Golden-yellow spots on wing coverts, Black spots on wing coverts, Short tail, Ground-dwelling behavior
Description
A small, stocky ground dove characterized by its pale, sandy-grey plumage and distinctive wing markings. It primarily forages on the ground in arid, high-altitude environments of the Andes, often seen in small flocks.
