The grey-chested dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Region
Central America to northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama into northwestern Colombia. Prefers humid lowland and foothill forests, including secondary growth, edges, and shaded plantations. Most often found in dense understory and thickets where it forages on the ground. Frequently uses forest trails, stream margins, and leaf-littered clearings. Tolerates some habitat disturbance but remains tied to areas with substantial cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-chested dove is a shy, ground-foraging dove of humid lowland and foothill forests. It is often detected by its soft, mournful cooing rather than by sight. When flushed, it explodes from cover with rapid wingbeats and quickly drops back into dense understory. It plays a role in seed dispersal by consuming small fruits.
Temperament
shy and retiring
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct dashes between cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping close to dense understory. Builds a flimsy twig platform nest low in shrubs or small trees. Both sexes participate in incubation and chick rearing, typically laying two eggs. Territorial during breeding but may loosely share feeding areas where resources are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, mournful series of coos, often rendered as a spaced huu-OO… huu-OO, carrying through forest understory. Calls are repeated at measured intervals and may be given from a concealed perch. Wing claps may be heard when the bird flushes.
