White-fronted Quail-Dove
Geotrygon leucometopia
A chunky, iridescent, deep-purple dove of dense forests and coffee plantations. It is typically found on the ground walking among the leaf litter, sometimes in company of Ruddy or Key West Quail-Doves. Its unstriped head, white forehead spot, and iridescent purple body eliminates other species within range. Song is a “oop-oop…” given without pause, sometimes for several minutes.
Identification
The white-fronted quail-dove is about 28 cm (11 in) long, and weighs about 171 g (6.0 oz). The adult has a bold white forehead ("front"), and the rest of its head is slate gray. The sides of its neck have a reddish purple or violet cast that sometimes extends onto the gray breast. The lower belly is reddish. The upperparts are a darker gray than the head and have a metallic purplish blue sheen. Its eyes are red. Juveniles are browner than adults ,and do not have the purple sheen on the neck and breast.
Taxonomy
The white-fronted quail-dove and most of the other species in the genus Geotrygon were previously in Oreopeleia. In addition, it was considered conspecific with what is now the grey-fronted quail-dove (Geotrygon caniceps) under the name "grey-headed quail-dove". It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Geotrygon leucometopia
- Authority
- (Chapman, 1917)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Geotrygon
Range and habitat
The white-fronted quail-dove is confirmed to exist only in a few areas in the west of the Dominican Republic. Unconfirmed historical accounts placed it in adjoining southeastern Haiti as well. It inhabits low elevation subtropical forests, montane forest possibly as high as 1,800 m (5,900 ft), and a few arid areas with cactus and scrub.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white-fronted quail-dove's diet is seeds and small invertebrates like insects, grubs, and caterpillars.<p>The white-fronted quail-dove builds a nest of twigs and leaves lined with rootlets and grass and places it low in undergrowth or a vine tangle. The clutch size is usually one or two, but three eggs have been reported.<p>The white-fronted quail-dove's song is a "long series of short, low-pitched 'haoo' or 'cooo' notes, given either very rapidly in the former instance or more slowly...in [the] second".
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chestnut-throated Spinetail
Synallaxis cherriei
Rather nondescript rufous bird with a long, spiky tail. The plumage is mostly chestnut with a dark brown rump, tail, and underparts. Found patchily in humid primary and second growth, usually in light gaps or in bamboo or vine tangles, where it typically forages near the ground. The song is a distinctive “prrrr-préét” of which the second note is higher. The similar Ruddy Spinetail has a black throat patch.
Tanimbar Megapode
Megapodius tenimberensis
A large, dull-colored partridge-like bird with powerful legs and feet, an obvious crest, and pink facial skin. Shy. Singles and pairs inhabit the forest floor within the lowlands. Restricted to Tanimbar Islands, where it is the only megapode, so easily recognized. Gives raucous “KE-OW-KE-OW-KE-OW” calls as well as “KWAK-KWAK-KWAK” notes.
Ashy Wood-Pigeon
Columba pulchricollis
Generally uncommon barrel-chested forest pigeon with dark gray upperparts and pale underparts. Checkerboard-style neck collar comprised of stiff black feathers with creamy-buff tips is unique. Usually encountered hurtling by over evergreen broadleaf hill forests; appears all dark from above, pale with contrastingly dark underwings and dark chest from below. Forages quietly in the canopy, often seen in medium-sized to large flocks; occasionally observed taking grit on the ground. Speckled Wood-Pigeon is also dark above but is maroon brown with light spotting.
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