Columbina cyanopis
The Blue-eyed Ground Dove (*Columbina cyanopis*) is an exquisitely rare and delicate ground dove, measuring approximately 15.5 cm (6.1 in) in length and weighing around 29-32 grams. Its most striking feature, and namesake, is its brilliant, almost iridescent blue iris, a truly unique trait among ground doves. The plumage of the male boasts reddish-brown underparts, a grayish-blue crown and nape, and distinctive dark blue spots adorning the wing coverts, contrasting with a buffy white belly. F...
Restricted to specific moist campo grasslands and savanna-like cerrado habitats, typically found near wetlands or streams at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily consumes small seeds from various grasses and herbaceous plants, foraging by pecking directly from the ground.
This diurnal dove primarily forages on the ground, often moving in pairs or small family groups, relying on camouflage for protection. It roosts in the dense undergrowth of grass tussocks or low shrubs, preferring the concealment of its terrestrial habitat. Foraging involves meticulously picking ...
The Blue-eyed Ground Dove is endemic to Brazil, with its historical range encompassing parts of Goiás, Mato Grosso, and São Paulo states. However, its current known distribution is alarmingly restricted to a single, small, and isolated population within the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specific...
Critically Endangered
- The Blue-eyed Ground Dove was 'lost to science' for 75 years, with no confirmed sightings between 1941 and its dramatic rediscovery in 2015. - Its brilliant blue eyes are a unique and unparalleled feature among all other ground dove species, making identification unmistakable. - With an estimat...