Common ground dove

The common ground dove is a small bird that inhabits the southern United States, parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. It is considered to be the smallest dove that inhabits the United States. As its name suggests, the bird spends the majority of its time on the ground walking but still has the ability to fly.

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Distribution

Region

Southeastern United States, Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America

Typical Environment

This species favors open, brushy habitats such as scrub, thorny thickets, woodland edges, coastal dunes, desert scrub, pastures, and agricultural margins. It is frequently seen along sandy tracks, roadsides, and disturbed clearings with sparse ground cover. It avoids dense forests but uses low shrubs and brush piles for cover and nesting. In suburban areas, it may visit yards and vacant lots with weedy seed sources.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size15–18 cm

Wing Span27–32 cm

Male Weight0.037 kg

Female Weight0.034 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 3/5

Useful to know

The common ground dove is the smallest dove regularly found in the United States, often going unnoticed as it forages quietly on the ground. When flushed, it reveals rufous patches in the wings and flies low with rapid wingbeats before dropping back into cover. It commonly ingests small pebbles (grit) to help grind seeds in its gizzard.

Gallery

Common ground dove in Texas, 2005.

Behaviour

Temperament

quiet and inconspicuous

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low and direct

Social Behavior

Often seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups; larger loose aggregations may form at good feeding sites. Nests are flimsy platforms placed low in shrubs, cacti, or occasionally on the ground. Pairs typically raise multiple broods in warm climates.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Soft, repetitive cooing notes that carry only a short distance, often a low, mournful ‘coo-oo’ series. Calls include gentle clucks and coos given from low perches or while on the ground.

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Identification

Leg Colorpink

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Fine, scaled pattern on the head, neck, and breast with plain brownish-gray upperparts and a short, squared tail. Rufous bases to the primaries show as a warm flash in flight. Underparts are pale gray to pinkish with subtle scaling on the breast.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily consumes small seeds from grasses, weeds, and forbs. It also takes small fruits and will opportunistically eat insects such as ants and small beetles, especially during breeding season. Grit and small pebbles are swallowed to aid digestion in the gizzard.

Preferred Environment

Feeds almost exclusively on the ground in open, sparsely vegetated areas, including roadsides, field edges, vacant lots, and sandy scrub. Often forages along paths and beneath low shrubs where seed density is high.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

Common gull

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Common hawk-cuckoo

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Common iora

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Common kestrel

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