Eared Dove
Zenaida auriculata
South America’s most widespread and abundant dove, found from sea level up to 4,000 m. Appearance much like Mourning Dove of North America: pale grayish-brown overall with iridescent patch on neck, black spots on wing and neck, and reddish legs. Larger than ground-doves; more slender than Leptotila doves and with black wing spots. Found in open and disturbed habitats including agricultural fields, towns and cities, and shrubby areas. Often gathers in flocks.
Identification
The eared dove is 24 cm (9.4 in) long with a long, wedge-shaped tail, and weighs normally about 112 g (4.0 oz). Adult males have mainly olive-brown upperpart plumage, with black spots on the wings. The head has a grey crown, black line behind the eye, and the blue-black on the lower ear coverts. These black markings give the species its English and specific names. The underparts are vinous, and the tail is tipped with cinnamon. The bill is black and the legs dark red.<p>The female is duller than the male, and immature birds are greyish-brown, very dull, with pale barring. The species' call is a deep soft oo-ah-oo.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zenaida auriculata
- Authority
- (des Murs, 1847)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Zenaida
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The eared dove is common to abundant in savannahs and other open areas, including cultivation, and it readily adapts to human habitation, being seen on wires and telephone posts near towns in Trinidad and Venezuela, in almost all public spaces of large urban areas such as Bogotá, Colombia, and feeding near beach resorts in Tobago.<p>Eared doves feed mainly on seed and grain taken from the ground. They can be agricultural pests. When in season, agricultural plants such as wheat, rice, sorghum, maize and soybeans may comprise the entirety of the diet. Echinochloa colona, a common savannah grass, and Croton jacobinensis are important seed food for these doves. Their diet may also be augmented by animal foods, such as caterpillars, insect pupae, aphids and snails. This is a gregarious bird when not feeding, and forms flocks especially at migration time or at communal roosts.<p>Its flight is high, fast, and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings, which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It also has a breeding display with a steep climb and semicircular glide down to its original perch. It builds a small stick nest several meters up in a tree and lays two white eggs. These hatch in 12–14 days with another 9 days to fledging. No fixed breeding season is seen in most of their range, and provided with plentiful food and habitat, birds breed almost continuously.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Honeyguide Greenbul
Baeopogon indicator
Unusual dark greenbul with upright posture that does strongly resemble a honeyguide. Males have a white eye and females a dark one. Both sexes show a large white patch in the outer tail. Found in the upper portions of lowland forest. Usually in pairs or small groups. Most often detected by call: a slow series of mewing whistles. Similar to Sjöstedt's Greenbul, but has darker gray underparts, and male further distinguished by its pale eye. Distinguished from honeyguides by its different shape, especially the longer tail. Flight is direct, unlike undulating flight of a honeyguide.
Blue-capped Hummingbird
Eupherusa cyanophrys
Endemic and distinctive, medium-sized hummingbird found in the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca. Favors humid evergreen forests and shade-coffee plantations. Mainly feeds at low to middle levels, darting quickly among flowers and flashing open its mostly white tail. Both sexes have a bright rusty panel in the wings, which appears as a blur when hovering. Male is brilliant green overall with blue cap. Female is pale gray below and has less white in the tail.
Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater
Pipreola frontalis
Plump, colorful bird of cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Plumage is mostly green and yellow, and male has a red throat and breast. Female may have a yellow or orange chin patch, but this feature is often absent on Ecuadorian birds. Female is similar to female Fiery-throated Fruiteater but larger and with an orange (not black) bill. Plucks berries at mid-levels in the forest, and often found in pairs. Gives high-pitched chips and whistles, sometimes followed by a trill.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.