White-faced Quail-Dove
Zentrygon albifacies
Fairly large but elusive dove of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forests in the highlands. It feeds mainly on the forest floor and may be seen beside quiet trails early and late in the day either walking quickly away or flushing explosively from close range. Heard much more often than seen. Rusty brown overall with blue-gray crown and whitish face. It Lacks the white tail corners of the smaller and grayer White-tipped Dove and is much larger than the male Ruddy Quail-Dove, with a different head pattern.
Identification
The white-faced quail-dove is 28 to 31.5 cm (11.0 to 12.4 in) long. Eleven specimens had weights ranging from 158 to 339 g (5.6 to 12.0 oz). Adults' crowns are gray, from very light in front fairly deep at the back and into the nape. The hindneck and sides of the neck are cinnamon; on the latter loose feathers give the impression of dark furrows. The rest of the upperparts are chestnut and the back has a bluish violet gloss. The wings are dark dusky grayish brown. The face is pale grayish buff and the chin and throat pale buff. The breast is buffy gray that pales and adds a cinnamon tone at the belly. The eye is orange to red surrounded by bare blue-gray skin. The legs and feet are red. Juveniles' crowns are pale brown, their upperparts brown with dusky bars, and the breast and sides tawny brown with dusky bars.
Taxonomy
The white-faced quail-dove is monotypic. It was originally described in genus Geotrygon, later placed in genus Oreopeleia, and still later in its present Zentrygon. Its relationships with the other members of its genus have not been fully resolved.
- Scientific name
- Zentrygon albifacies
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1858)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Zentrygon
Range and habitat
The white-faced quail-dove is found discontinuously in several southern states of Mexico, much of Guatemala and Honduras, and small areas of northern El Salvador and northwestern Nicaragua. It inhabits humid montane forest of several types including evergreen and pine-evergreen, and also shade coffee plantations. In elevation it ranges between 1,000 and 2,700 m (3,300 and 8,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white-faced quail-dove forages singly or in pairs while walking on the ground, where it tends to favor dense cover. Its diet has not been documented but is assumed to be seeds, fallen fruits, and maybe insects.<p>The white-faced quail-dove roosts above the ground. It typically walks along branches or hops up to the roost rather than flying. Up to eight birds have been observed roosting together.<p>The whte-faced quail-dove's breeding season appears to vary within its range but has not been studied. Nests are loosely constructed of sticks and placed where they are well concealed, as high as 6 m (20 ft) above ground. The clutch size is two.<p>The white-faced quail-dove's song is "a low, hollow, mournful whoooo or whoo'oo."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Key West Quail-Dove
Geotrygon chrysia
A smallish, chunky, ground-dwelling species of dense woodlands with thick leaf litter; prefers drier habitats. Secretive but not shy; sometimes detected by the rustling of leaves it is strolling through. The rather similar Bridled Quail-Dove is dull brown rather than reddish or purple on the upper back and it has iridescent turquoise on the sides of its neck. Ruddy Quail-Doves have less contrast in facial markings and the males have an entirely rusty back; some also sport a vertical white shoulder stripe. The Blue-headed Quail-Dove has a blue crown and bib. This species’ song is a soft, low plaintive “hooooooo,” given at a single pitch, but growing gradually louder before dropping off abruptly at the end.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Widespread and generally common little owl of tropical lowlands, often seen and heard during the daytime. Favors open tropical woodland and edge, second growth areas with trees (including towns, even cities with wooded parks), tropical pine savannas. Persistent whistles and mobbing bands of small birds often draw attention to pygmy-owls, which can be perched up on open snags or buried deep in cover. Color varies from rusty to grayish overall, but all color types have fine whitish streaks on crown (not spots) and numerous, narrow dark tail bars.
Terek Sandpiper
Xenus cinereus
Unique smallish wader with stumpy bright orange legs and a noticeably upturned bill. Plumage gray overall with white belly, but in flight shows conspicuous white trailing edge to wings. Breeds in valley floodplains in tundra and taiga. In the non-breeding season, occurs singly or in flocks in varied wetland habitats, from fresh marshes to tidal mudflats, and often apart from other shorebirds. Feeds by dashing after insects and also by probing bill in mud, like a mini-godwit.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.