Ruddy Quail-Dove

The Ruddy Quail-Dove is a small, ground-dwelling dove found in forest understory from the Caribbean through Central America and much of tropical South America. Males show a rich reddish-chestnut plumage with a purplish sheen on the upperparts and a pale buffy stripe running below the eye across the cheek. Females are duller, more olive-brown overall, retaining a similar but less contrasting facial stripe. It is a shy species, typically encountered walking quietly on the forest floor.

• Male body feathers: rich reddish-chestnut with a subtle purplish iridescent sheen on the back and wing coverts
• Facial stripe feathers: pale buffy-white stripe below the eye, present in both sexes but more contrasting in males
• Female body feathers: duller olive-brown, lacking the strong reddish tone of the male
• Tail feathers: short and rounded, typical of forest-floor quail-doves
• Compare with the Key West Quail-Dove, which shows a bolder white facial stripe and more extensive iridescence on the upperparts

Males and females differ noticeably, with males showing the richer reddish-chestnut coloring and females a duller olive-brown tone. Juveniles resemble females but show additional buff fringing on the body feathers, lost after the first molt. Adults undergo one complete molt annually.

This species inhabits the understory and floor of humid forest from the Caribbean islands through Central America and into much of tropical South America. It is generally resident, remaining within suitable forest habitat, occasionally straying to forest edge in search of fallen fruit and seeds.

Ruddy Quail-Doves forage quietly on the forest floor, walking with a low, steady gait while picking at fallen seeds and small fruit. Their call is a low, mournful cooing given from a concealed perch. Nests are simple stick platforms placed low in vegetation. This species is often more easily detected by voice than by sight, given its preference for dense understory cover.