The Sulawesi ground dove, also known as the yellow-breasted ground dove, is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling dove. It is mostly olive-brown with a golden forehead, iridescent bluish-green crown and nape, purple patch on the side of the neck, yellow breast, dark brown tail, white underparts, and red legs. Both sexes are similar.
Region
Sulawesi, Indonesia (Wallacea)
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and mature secondary lowland to hill forests across Sulawesi and some nearby islets. Favors dense understory and dim forest floor microhabitats, often near streams, gullies, and fruiting trees. It persists in selectively logged forest if sufficient cover remains, but avoids heavily degraded habitats and open farmland. Typically encountered singly or in pairs and is easily overlooked due to its secretive habits.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive ground-dwelling dove is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it forages quietly on the forest floor. It is often detected by its soft, mournful coos rather than by sight and flushes with a sudden whirr of wings when disturbed. Habitat loss from logging and agriculture is its main threat. As a forest frugivore-seed eater, it likely helps disperse seeds in its native ecosystems.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, walking quietly on the forest floor and freezing when alarmed before flushing. Nesting is presumed similar to related ground doves, with a simple platform nest placed low in dense cover and a clutch of one to two eggs. Courtship likely involves soft cooing and short display bows.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a low, muffled series of soft cooing notes, often delivered from a concealed perch or the forest floor. Phrases are spaced and mournful, carrying only a short distance in dense forest.
Plumage
Mostly olive-brown with a golden forehead, iridescent bluish-green crown and nape, a purple patch on the side of the neck, yellow breast, white underparts, and a dark brown tail.
Diet
Feeds primarily on fallen fruits and seeds picked from the leaf litter. Also takes small invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, especially during breeding when protein needs rise. Forages methodically by walking and pecking, occasionally scratching among leaves. Swallows small grit to aid digestion.
Preferred Environment
Usually feeds on shaded forest floors, along stream margins, and beneath fruiting trees where foods accumulate. Will use quiet forest edges and old logging tracks if cover remains dense.
