Ruddy Ground Dove 

About this Species

The Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) is a small bird species found in a variety of habitats in the Yucatan Peninsula, including open woodlands, savannas, and agricultural fields. These doves have a distinctive ruddy-brown plumage with white spots on their wings and a light blue eye-ring. They are often seen on the ground, feeding on seeds, grains, and small insects.

The Ruddy Ground Dove is a year-round resident of the Yucatan Peninsula and breeds from March to August. Males perform courtship displays by puffing up their feathers and cooing, while females build a flimsy nest on the ground or in low bushes, laying 2-3 eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts about 2 weeks, and the chicks fledge within 2-3 weeks after hatching.

This species is common throughout its range and is not currently considered threatened or endangered. However, like many bird species, the Ruddy Ground Dove may be negatively affected by habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human activities such as deforestation and agriculture. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting and restoring suitable habitat may help ensure the continued survival of this and other bird species in the Yucatan Peninsula.