Pallid Dove

The Pallid Dove is a medium‑sized, soft‑toned pigeon with a smooth gray‑brown body, a pale gray head, and a subtly washed pinkish breast that gives it a gentle, understated look. Its wings are warm brown with slightly darker edging, the belly is noticeably paler—almost whitish—and the bill is dark with a faintly lighter base. A thin, pale eyering and red legs add small touches of contrast, while its overall appearance is clean, muted, and elegant.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Pallid Dove

In Ecuador, the Pallid Dove is a resident of humid lowland and foothill forests on the eastern slope, especially in the Amazonian region. It is generally uncommon but can be encountered along forest edges, clearings, and riverine habitats where fruiting trees are present. Although it prefers intact forest, it will occasionally use semi‑open areas, making it a quiet but regular member of the eastern lowland avifauna.

One interesting aspect of the Pallid Dove is its soft, low‑pitched call, which is often described as a gentle, rhythmic coo‑coo‑coo that blends into the forest soundscape and can be surprisingly hard to locate. It also tends to perch quietly for long periods, making it more often heard than seen. Like many Amazonian pigeons, it plays an important ecological role as a seed disperser, helping maintain the structure and diversity of the forests it inhabits.