Gray-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Retiring, terrestrial dove of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Heard more frequently than seen. Like other members of the genus, it can be found walking quietly on shady roadsides and trails, especially early and late in the day. It often flushes explosively and flies to a low perch in the understory. Told from White-tipped Dove and Gray-chested Dove by blue-gray crown and hindneck. In flight, all Leptotila doves show white tail corners and rusty under the wings.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Leptotila plumbeiceps
Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Leptotila

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Lowland Peltops

Lowland Peltops

Peltops blainvillii

A medium-sized bird of lowland forest edge and clearings. Distinctive plumage. Mainly black, bright red above and below the base of the tail, and white marks on the cheek and back. Perches in tall trees, sallying for flying insects. Very similar to Mountain Peltops, but Lowland is found at lower elevations and has a smaller white cheek. Voice, a double note rap, “plik-it!” repeated at regular intervals. Also, a distinctive, unbirdlike, vibrating rattle.

Tagula Shrikethrush

Tagula Shrikethrush

Colluricincla discolor

A chunky bird with a notably thick dark bill. Fairly nondescript: olive-brown on the upperparts and paler below. Found at low and middle elevations, in the understory and at middle levels of humid forest. Rich, melodious, variable song consists of whistles and rasping notes, often in an up-and-down pattern. Within its limited range, most likely to be confused with female Louisiade Whistler, but drabber overall, without yellow underparts.

Planalto Slaty-Antshrike

Planalto Slaty-Antshrike

Thamnophilus pelzelni

Small antshrike found in the lower and middle levels of dry forests and at the edge of humid forests. Males are gray overall with a black crown, and white-spotted black wings and tail. Females have a rusty crown, back, and tail, are buff below with white spots on the wings. The song is a loud and long series of around 20 descending notes that accelerate in pace. Doesn’t overlap in range with similar Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike and is told from Variable Antshrike by paler gray plumage in males and richer rufous color in females.

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