Leptotrygon veraguensis
The Olive-backed Quail-Dove (Leptotrygon veraguensis) is a captivating, secretive member of the dove family (Columbidae), typically measuring 21-25 cm (8.3-9.8 inches) in length and weighing around 110-140 grams. Its plumage is a masterpiece of camouflage, featuring rich olive-brown upperparts that blend seamlessly with the forest floor, contrasting with a grayish head, pale throat, and a subtle reddish-purple iridescence on the hindneck and mantle. Key field marks include a creamy white stri...
Found primarily in the understory of lowland and foothill tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, often near wet areas or streams, from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
Feeds primarily on seeds and small fallen fruits found in leaf litter, supplemented by small invertebrates.
This Olive-backed Quail-Dove is a highly secretive, terrestrial diurnal bird, spending most of its time gleaning food from the leaf litter on the forest floor. It typically forages by sifting through fallen leaves, often accompanied by characteristic tail-bobbing movements. During the breeding se...
The Olive-backed Quail-Dove is a resident species distributed across specific regions of Central and northwestern South America. Its range extends from northern Costa Rica, encompassing both the Caribbean and southern Pacific slopes, south through Panama on both slopes. Further south, it is found...
Least Concern
- The scientific name "veraguensis" directly references the Veraguas Province in Panama, the type locality where the species was first described. - Unlike many birds that flee by flying, this Quail-Dove prefers to walk or run through dense undergrowth, making it notoriously difficult to glimpse i...