Leptotila plumbeiceps
The Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps) is a strikingly beautiful, medium-sized Neotropical ground-dove, typically measuring 22-26 cm (8.7-10.2 inches) in length and weighing 140-165 grams (4.9-5.8 oz). Its most distinctive feature is the slate-grey to bluish-grey head, which contrasts subtly with a glossy purplish-bronze or greenish sheen on its nape and hindneck. The upperparts are generally olive-brown to rufous-brown, while the underparts transition from a warm vinaceous-pinkish brea...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist lowland to montane forests, including cloud forests, forest edges, and clearings with secondary growth, typically at elevations between 300 and 1800 meters.
The Grey-headed Dove feeds primarily on seeds, fallen fruits, and berries found on the forest floor, occasionally supplementing its diet with small insects or snails.
Grey-headed Doves are diurnal, generally shy, and often observed solitarily or in pairs, though small groups may gather at abundant food sources. They spend most of their time foraging on the forest floor, walking slowly and deliberately through leaf litter in search of food. When disturbed, they...
The Grey-headed Dove is a resident species distributed throughout a significant portion of Central America and into northwestern South America. Its range extends from southern Mexico, specifically from southern Tamaulipas and San Luis PotosÃ, southward through Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and the Y...
Least Concern
- The Grey-headed Dove's distinctive grey head plumage is the feature from which it derives its common name. - Despite its relatively widespread distribution, its shy nature and preference for dense undergrowth make it more often heard than seen. - Its mournful, low-pitched cooing call is a chara...