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The scaled dove, also known as scaly dove, Ridgway's dove, mottled dove, and South American zebra dove, is found in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago,Venezuela and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in French Guiana, Uruguay.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Croaking Ground DoveColumbina cruzianaThe croaking ground dove is 15 cm (5.9 in) long.
Plain-breasted Ground DoveColumbina minutaWith 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.
Picui Ground DoveColumbina picuiThe Picui ground dove is 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 42 to 59 g (1.5 to 2.1 oz).
Side by side: Picui Ground Dove vs Scaled Dove
Learn the Scaled Dove for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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