Gray-fronted Dove

The Gray-fronted Dove measures about 28 cm in length and weighs between 115–183 g. Adult males have a grayish to bluish forehead, bluish-gray crown, and a purplish-gray iridescent nape. Their eyes are yellow or brown, surrounded by bare red skin, and their bill is black with red legs and feet. The upperparts are olive-brown with faint bronze or purplish tones, while the breast is pinkish-gray shading to white on the belly. Females are generally browner with more olive tones, and juveniles show rusty edges on their feathers and barred breasts.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Gray-fronted Dove

In Ecuador, the Gray-fronted Dove occurs mainly in the eastern lowlands and foothills east of the Andes, inhabiting humid forests, forest edges, and clearings. It is part of the subspecies L. r. dubusi, which ranges from southeastern Colombia through eastern Ecuador into Peru and western Brazil. The species is typically found walking quietly along forest trails or foraging on the ground, often overlooked due to its shy and skulking behavior.

This dove is best known for its mournful, monotonous call, often described as a soft “wooOOOoo” fading in and out, repeated every few seconds, especially at dawn. It forages on the forest floor, feeding on seeds, berries, and small invertebrates, and has even been recorded eating bananas and rice at feeding stations. Unlike more social doves, it is usually solitary or found in pairs. Breeding occurs almost year-round in some regions, with nests built from twigs in low bushes or trees, and both parents share incubation duties. Interestingly, the Gray-fronted Dove is part of a superspecies complex with related doves such as the Gray-headed Dove and Pallid Dove, reflecting its evolutionary ties across the Neotropics.