The grey-fronted quail-dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Cuba.
Region
Caribbean (Cuba)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, mature secondary woodland, and dense thickets, often near streams and in deep leaf litter. It favors well-shaded understory with abundant ground cover such as ferns and palms. Birds are largely terrestrial, foraging quietly along forest floors and trail edges. It may also use limestone karst and foothill forests where cover is dense.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy, ground-dwelling dove is endemic to Cuba and is most often detected by its low, mournful coos from dense forest understory. It typically flushes suddenly with a whirr of wings when approached, then drops back to cover. Habitat loss and hunting pressure have contributed to its decline, making conservation of intact Cuban forests critical for its survival.
Temperament
shy and elusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights through understory
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, becoming territorial during the breeding season. Nests are placed on the ground or low in dense vegetation, and clutches typically consist of one to two eggs. Parents are secretive around the nest and rely on camouflage and cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of low, mournful coos delivered at measured intervals from concealed perches or the forest floor. The song carries softly through dense vegetation and may accelerate slightly toward the end. Calls include soft grunts and wing-whirrs when flushed.
Plumage
Overall warm brown to olive-brown upperparts with subtle iridescence on the neck, contrasting with a grey forehead and crown. Underparts are paler brown to buff with a slightly rufous wash on the breast. The throat is whitish and bordered by a darker malar line; tail is dark with paler edges.
Diet
Feeds on fallen seeds, small fruits, and berries gleaned from the forest floor. Supplements diet with small invertebrates such as insects, snails, and worms, especially during the breeding season. Foraging is deliberate and quiet, with birds often pausing to sift through leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Primarily forages on the ground in shaded forest interiors, along trails, and near watercourses. Uses dense understory and leaf litter for cover while feeding and will move to edges during low-disturbance periods.
