The sapphire quail-dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill forests of western Amazonia, including parts of Brazil (western Amazon), southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru. It favors mature terra firme forest but also uses seasonally flooded várzea and well-shaded secondary growth. Typically stays in dense understory and along forested streams or ravines. Rarely ventures into open areas and is highly cryptic on the leaf-littered forest floor.
Altitude Range
100–1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A shy, ground-dwelling pigeon of the deep Amazonian understory, the sapphire quail-dove is more often heard than seen. Its name comes from the subtle sapphire-blue iridescence on the head and neck of adults. It flushes explosively from the forest floor when approached and quickly disappears into dense cover.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low swift bursts through understory
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, moving quietly while foraging on the forest floor. Nests are simple platforms placed low in dense vegetation or on a horizontal branch. Courtship involves soft cooing and short display walks with slight bowing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a low, mournful, single-note coo repeated at measured intervals from hidden perches. Calls carry softly through the understory, often the only clue to its presence.
Plumage
Ground-dove with rich brown to rufous-brown upperparts and a vinaceous to purplish wash on the breast, contrasting with grayer underparts. Head and nape show an iridescent sapphire-blue sheen, more evident in good light. Feathers are smooth and satiny, aiding its camouflaged appearance on the forest floor.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fallen seeds and small fruits picked from the leaf litter. Also consumes small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and occasionally snails, especially during the wet season. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent pauses to listen and scan for danger.
Preferred Environment
Leaf-littered floors of mature rainforest, especially along shaded trails, stream edges, and thickets. Avoids open ground and prefers dense cover where it can slip away quickly.
