Buff-fronted quail-dove

The buff-fronted quail-dove or Costa Rican quail-dove, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is native to the Talamancan montane forests.

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Distribution

Region

Talamancan montane forests

Typical Environment

Found in humid montane and cloud forests with dense understory and abundant leaf litter. It typically inhabits ravines, stream edges, and mossy forest floors where cover is thick. The species occurs on both Caribbean and Pacific slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca. It tolerates some secondary growth if understory remains intact, but prefers mature forest interiors.

Altitude Range

800–2500 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size28–31 cm

Wing Span40–46 cm

Male Weight0.19 kg

Female Weight0.17 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also known as the Costa Rican quail-dove, this ground-dwelling pigeon is confined to the Talamancan montane forests of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is notoriously shy, favoring dense understory where it forages quietly on the forest floor. Its soft, low cooing often gives away its presence before it is seen.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with explosive takeoff from the ground

Social Behavior

Usually seen alone or in pairs, walking quietly through leaf litter. Nests are placed low, often on banks or in dense vegetation, and the clutch is typically one to two eggs. Both parents participate in incubation and chick care.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A soft, low, mournful coo—often a single deep note or a spaced series—delivered from concealed perches. Notes carry surprisingly far in calm forest conditions and are most frequent at dawn and dusk.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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Buff-rumped woodpecker

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Buff-sided robin

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