Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Columbina ("dove like") talpacoti ("red dove" from Nahuatl)

 

Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Columbina talpacoti rufipennis
Weight: 47g  /  Length: 17cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite not being the species known as the common ground dove, it is actually the most widely distributed member of columbina, being found across most of South America East of the Andes as well as Central America as far North as Northern Mexico. They have generally adapted well to human caused habitat change, although they do experience competition from other pigeon species.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columbina
SUBSPECIES: C. t. caucae, C. t. talpacoti, C. t. rufipennis, C. t. talpacoti
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
Common and widespread outside Highlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Columbina ("dove like") passerina ("sparrow like")

 

Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Columbina passerina neglecta
Weight: 26-40g  /  Length: 15-18cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very small species of dove found from the Southern US to Brazil and one of the lightest weight of all columbiforme species. They favour open habitats with room for them to forage on the ground, which as their name suggests is their prefered feeding method, particularly of seeds and fruits. They mate for life and can have 2-3 broods a year. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columbina
SUBSPECIES: C. p. passerina, C. p. pallescens, C. p. socorroensis, C. p. neglecta, C. p. bahamensis, C. p. exigua, C. p. insularis, C. p. umbrina, C. p. jamaicensis, C. p. portoricensis, C. p. nigrirostris, C. p. trochila, C. p. antillarum, C. p. aflavida, C. p. parvula, C. p. nana, C. p. quitensis

 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tortolita Azul ("Blue Dove")
A widespread and common species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.