Ruddy Ground Dove

Basic Description

At first glance a group of tiny, earth-toned Ruddy Ground Doves foraging on a roadside could almost look like sparrows, but a closer look reveals a classic dove silhouette in miniature—small head, short bill, and plump body. Males are attired in cinnamon, lavender, and gray, while females are a plainer grayish-brown. Both sexes sing a fast series of “cu-WHOOP” notes, show black wing markings at rest, and reveal surprisingly orange wings when taking flight. This widespread Neotropical species is common in open areas and is increasingly turning up in the southwestern United States.