Plain-breasted Ground Dove vs Scaled Dove

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Small33 gShrubland

With a total length of approximately 14.5–16 cm (5.5–6.5 in) and a weight of 24–42 g (0.85–1.48 oz), this species averages slightly smaller than the common ground dove. The plain-breasted ground dove may be the smallest of the columbids by mass, though the more heavily built but almost tailless dwarf fruit dove of Southeast Asia is typically shorter in overall length. The plain-breasted ground dove has dark grey to brown plumage, with somewhat paler wings with dark violet spots; the underwings are mostly rufous. It has a grey bill, pink legs, and reddish eyes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Anthony Batista · CC BY 4.0

Scaled Dove

Columbina squammata

Small53 gUrban

It measures between 18 and 22 centimeters in length and weighs between 48 and 60 grams. The species has grayish-brown upper parts and a pinkish-gray face and chest. The throat is white and the distal wing coverts are also white and form a visible white spot on the wings when they are closed. The tail is dark with the tips of the rectrices being white, forming a white band on the side of the tail, noticeable when the bird is in flight. The species has dark eyes, pink legs and gray beak. It has a "scaly" appearance caused by the dark edges of the feathers.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Cristóbal Alvarado Minic · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Plain-breasted Ground Dove and Scaled Dove.