White-fronted quail-dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-fronted quail-dove |
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Geotrygon
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| Species: |
leucometopia
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The white-fronted quail-dove (scientific name: Geotrygon leucometopia) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes doves and pigeons. This beautiful bird lives only in the Dominican Republic. This country is part of Hispaniola, a large island in the Caribbean Sea. Sadly, it might no longer be found in Haiti, the other country on Hispaniola.
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About Its Name and Family
Scientists group living things into families. The white-fronted quail-dove is part of the Geotrygon group. Many birds in this group used to be called Oreopeleia.
This bird was once thought to be the same as the grey-fronted quail-dove. That bird's scientific name is Geotrygon caniceps. But now, scientists know they are different species. The white-fronted quail-dove is also monotypic. This means it does not have any different subspecies or types.
What Does It Look Like?
The white-fronted quail-dove is about 28 cm (11 in) long. It weighs around 171 g (6.0 oz).
Adult birds have a bright white forehead. The rest of their head is a dark gray color. The sides of their neck have a pretty reddish-purple or violet shine. This color sometimes spreads onto their gray chest. Their lower belly is reddish.
The upper parts of their body are darker gray than their head. They have a shiny purplish-blue color. Their eyes are red. Young birds, called juveniles, are more brownish. They do not have the purple shine on their neck and chest like the adults.
Where Does It Live?
The white-fronted quail-dove is only found in a few places. These areas are in the western part of the Dominican Republic. Some old stories say it also lived in southeastern Haiti. But this has not been confirmed recently.
This bird likes to live in forests that are not too high up. It also lives in montane forests, which are mountain forests. It can be found as high as 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in some places. Sometimes, it even lives in dry areas with cactus plants and small bushes.
How It Behaves
What It Eats
The white-fronted quail-dove finds its food on the ground. It mainly eats seeds. It also likes to eat small bugs. These include insects, grubs, and caterpillars.
Reproduction and Nests
The white-fronted quail-dove builds its nest using twigs and leaves. It lines the nest with small roots and grass. The bird usually places its nest low down in bushes or tangled vines.
Most of the time, a mother bird lays one or two eggs. But sometimes, three eggs have been seen in a nest.
Its Song
The white-fronted quail-dove has a special song. It makes a long series of short, low sounds. These sounds are like "haoo" or "cooo" notes. Sometimes it sings them very fast, and other times it sings them more slowly.
Why It Needs Our Help
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the white-fronted quail-dove as an Endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of becoming extinct.
This bird lives in a very small area. Scientists believe there are fewer than 1,700 adult birds left. Their numbers are going down for a few reasons. Their homes are being lost because of human activities. They are also hunted. Plus, new animals that hunt them have been brought into their habitat.
See also
In Spanish: Paloma perdiz dominicana para niños
