Picui Ground Dove

Identification

The Picui ground dove is a small dove measuring 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighing 42 to 59 g (1.5 to 2.1 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies display a whitish forehead and throat marked by a narrow black stripe in front of the eye. The crown and nape are gray, transitioning to brownish gray across the shoulders, back, rump, and central tail feathers. The folded wing appears distinctively pinkish fawn with two white bands bordered by black, while the neck and breast are pinkish gray and the belly white. Adult females are duller with less pink coloration, though these differences are subtle to the human eye.

Juveniles are duller and browner than adults. The subspecies C. p. strepitans, found in northeastern Brazil, has grayer upperparts and wings with less pink than the nominate form. While plumage differences between sexes may be faint to our eyes, birds are believed to be sensitive to significant differences in ultraviolet reflectance between male and female plumage.

Range & Habitat

The Picui ground dove is widely distributed across South America, found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The nominate subspecies ranges east of the Andes through eastern and southern Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil, extending south through Uruguay and most of Argentina, with populations also occurring west of the Andes in central Chile. This subspecies winters north to eastern Peru. The smaller-ranged C. p. strepitans is restricted to several states of northeastern Brazil.

This dove favors arid landscapes including forest edges, savanna with scattered trees, mesquite scrub forest, suburbs, gardens, and cultivated lands. In northwestern Argentina it ranges up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft) elevation, and in Bolivia up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft), but across most of its range it is seldom found above 1,250 m (4,100 ft).

Behaviour & Diet

The Picui ground dove is a ground forager, searching for seeds including cultivated grains, typically in groups of 25 to 30 individuals. Large flocks have been recorded in hemp fields, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The species produces a distinctive song consisting of a series of evenly-spaced, low-pitched cooing notes described as "cuWOOo...cuWOOo...cuWOOo..."

Breeding occurs from October to April in Argentina. The dove constructs a simple nest of twigs lined with finer materials, typically placed in a shrub or tree, though occasionally on roofs. Both members of the breeding pair incubate the two eggs, and the species is thought to raise two broods per season.

Best Time & Places to See It

The Picui ground dove appears to be abundant throughout much of its range and is readily encountered in suitable habitat. The species is rarely hunted and maintains a conservation status of Least Concern. October through April is the breeding season in Argentina, a period when birds may be more actively vocal and visible. Look for this dove in open, arid habitats including cultivated fields, gardens, scrubland, and savanna edges across its extensive South American range.

Photography Tips

The Picui ground dove's small size and preference for foraging on the ground make it a rewarding photography subject in open habitats. The pinkish-fawn wing coverts with white bands are distinctive field marks to capture. Since birds often forage in groups of 25 to 30, patient photographers may encounter multiple individuals in a single location, providing opportunities for behavioral shots. The subtle but significant ultraviolet differences in plumage between males and females cannot be captured with standard photography, but careful lighting will reveal the warm pinkish tones characteristic of males.