Moreno's Ground Dove
Metriopelia morenoi
The Moreno's Ground Dove (Metriopelia morenoi) is a rare doves and pigeon found only in Argentina, weighing about 29 g. Moreno's ground dove or the bare-eyed ground dove, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae.
About the Moreno's Ground Dove
Moreno's ground dove or the bare-eyed ground dove, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Argentina.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Moreno's ground dove is about 17 cm (6.7 in) long. The adult's upperparts are mostly dull brown with a grayish head and shoulders. Its throat is light gray darkening to brownish gray on the breast and belly, buffy at the vent, and reddish brown on the undertail coverts. The outer tail feathers are black with white tips. Its eye is blue surrounded by bright orange bare skin that in turn is surrounded by a thin black line. The sexes are essentially alike except that the female's eye surround is paler. The juvenile's plumage is similar to the adults' but many feathers have rufous fringes. Voice: Though the bare-faced ground dove's vocalizations are not well known, it "has been recorded producing cooing calls: a series of 3–5 soft and nasal 'cuEec cuEec cuEec', as well as a faster and deeper sounding series of 'coo coo coo coo coo'."
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Moreno's Ground Dove?
- Moreno's ground dove is about 17 cm (6.7 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Moreno's Ground Dove?
- The Moreno's Ground Dove is a small sized bird weighing about 29 g.
- Where can you see a Moreno's Ground Dove?
- The Moreno's Ground Dove is endemic to Argentina, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Moreno's Ground Dove?
- The Moreno's Ground Dove is most easily confused with the Golden-spotted Ground Dove, the Bare-faced Ground Dove and the Black-winged Ground Dove.
- Is the Moreno's Ground Dove endangered?
- The Moreno's Ground Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Moreno's Ground Dove for real
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