The cinnamon ground dove also known as golden-heart dove, red-throated ground dove or golden-heart pigeon is a species of ground-dwelling dove in the genus Gallicolumba.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in the lowland rainforests of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. Prefers primary and well-structured secondary forest with dense understory and abundant leaf litter. Most often found along shaded forest trails, near fruiting trees, and close to forest streams or swampy patches. It avoids very open areas but may use forest edges and overgrown clearings adjacent to intact forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A shy, ground-dwelling pigeon of New Guinea’s lowland rainforests, the cinnamon ground dove is famed for its bright golden-yellow breast patch that inspires the name “golden-heart.” It spends much of its time walking quietly on the forest floor and flushes with a sudden whir of wings when disturbed. Although locally affected by habitat loss, it remains relatively widespread and is currently not considered globally threatened.
A cinnamon ground dove in a nest.
A cinnamon ground dove perched on a rock.
Gallicolumba rufigula rufigula
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with explosive flush from the ground
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense understory where it walks and forages quietly. Nests low, on a simple platform of twigs in shrubs or saplings, sometimes near the ground. The clutch is typically one, occasionally two, eggs; both parents share incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, low-pitched, repeated cooing notes that carry poorly through dense forest. Also produces wing-whirring sounds when taking off suddenly, which can serve as an alarm display.
Plumage
Overall warm cinnamon-brown with a contrasting, bright golden-yellow heart-shaped patch on the upper breast and a small reddish throat area. Head slightly greyer with subtle iridescence on the neck; underparts become paler toward the belly. Wings and back are rich rufous-brown with smooth, unspotted feathers.
Diet
Takes fallen fruits and berries, small seeds, and a variety of invertebrates such as insects and small snails. Forages by walking and pecking among leaf litter, often beneath fruiting trees. Will occasionally pick grit to aid digestion.
Preferred Environment
Primarily the shaded forest floor of intact or mature secondary rainforest. Often near quiet streams, swampy spots, or along lightly used game trails where food accumulates.
