The purple quail-dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region
Typical Environment
Occurs on the Pacific slope of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, mainly in lowland and foothill evergreen rainforest. It favors dense, undisturbed primary forest and shaded ravines, often near streams. The species keeps to the dark understory and forest floor, where it forages along narrow trails and leaf litter. It is scarce in secondary growth and highly sensitive to logging and fragmentation. Local distribution is patchy, tracking remaining tracts of intact humid forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Purple Quail-dove is a shy, ground-dwelling pigeon of the dark, humid forests of the Chocó region in Colombia and Ecuador. It is more often heard than seen, slipping quietly along the forest floor and freezing when disturbed. Ongoing deforestation in the Chocó lowlands has made it increasingly local and uncommon. Protecting intact primary forest is key to its survival.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct dashes through understory
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense understory cover. Nests are simple twig platforms placed low in vegetation or on horizontal supports. Clutch size is usually one to two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation and chick care. Territoriality is expressed through soft vocalizations and posturing rather than overt chases.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A low, mournful series of spaced coos, often a single deep hoo repeated at intervals. Calls carry softly through dense forest and are most frequent at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Rich, glossy purplish to vinaceous tones on the head, neck, and mantle with darker olive-brown upperparts; underparts show wine-purple chest grading to buffy belly. Face shows a sharp white facial stripe above a darker malar line typical of quail-doves. Tail is dark with subtle pale edging; overall appearance is sleek with satiny iridescence in good light.
Diet
Forages by walking and picking in leaf litter for fallen fruits, small seeds, and invertebrates such as insects and small snails. It may ingest grit to aid digestion. Diet composition varies seasonally with fruit availability, but animal matter is regularly taken. Feeding is quiet and methodical, with long pauses to scan for danger.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the shaded forest floor of primary lowland and foothill rainforest, especially along streams, ravines, and quiet trails. Avoids open areas and rarely ventures into secondary growth except adjacent to intact forest.
