Ruddy Ground-Dove

Q: What are the chances of seeing a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

Likely. About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting in Barranquilla on a given day, based on 307 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 18th most-seen of the 153 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

Q: When is the best time to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

September and October. In those months about 70% of wildlife watchers report a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla on a given day, against about 20% in January, the lowest month. Those are among Barranquilla's wettest months, with about 190 mm of rain a month against almost none in January.

Q: What time of day is best to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

Between 1 and 4 pm. Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Ruddy Ground-Dove sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Q: Is Barranquilla the best place to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

27th of 38. Of the 38 cities where we can rate Ruddy Ground-Dove sightings, Barranquilla ranks 27th at about 40%. The best odds are in Salvador (Brazil, about 90%), Cali (Colombia, about 80%) and João Pessoa (Brazil, about 80%).

Q: Which relatives of the Ruddy Ground-Dove live in Barranquilla?

Same genus: Columbina. The closest relatives of the Ruddy Ground-Dove that you can see in Barranquilla (genus Columbina, Small Ground Doves) are Common Ground-Dove (about 30%) and Scaled Dove (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Q: Where does the Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records. It is estimated from how often the Ruddy Ground-Dove is recorded against all the birds logged in Barranquilla (307 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

Columbina talpacoti

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderColumbiformes (Pigeons and Doves)
FamilyColumbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
GenusColumbina (Small Ground Doves)
SpeciesColumbina talpacoti (Ruddy Ground-Dove)

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

at Barranquilla

In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%

307 Verified sightings at Barranquilla

32,672 In all 74 parks From 2019 to 2026

October Best month

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

Challenge South American City Birds South AmericaEasy

About the Ruddy Ground-Dove

The ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti) is a small New World tropical dove. It is a resident breeder from Mexico south to Brazil, Peru and Paraguay, and northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago. Individual birds can sometimes be seen in the southwestern USA, from southern Texas to southernmost California, primarily during winter.

The ruddy ground dove is very common in scrub and other open country, including cultivated land and urban centers, where it can be seen feeding on grain alongside feral pigeons. It builds a solid but sparsely lined cup-shaped stick nest in a tree and lays two white eggs. Incubation is 12–13 days with another 12–14 days to fledging. There may be a second or third brood. Chick mortality through predation and falls from the nest is high.

Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. Ruddy ground doves are small short-tailed pigeons, 17 cm (6.7 in) long with a weight normally about 47 g (1.7 oz). Adult males have a pale grey head and neck, and rich rufous upperparts, black-spotted on the wing coverts. The underparts are paler brown, the tail is edged black, and the underwings are cinnamon and black. The female is grey-brown rather than rufous, and has less contrast between head and body than the male.

Ruddy ground doves feed mainly on seeds, but also sometimes on snails and small insects. Their call is a soft cooing cur-WOO.This species can be quite approachable. Males frequently threaten each other by jumping and raising a wing, and brief confrontations may ensue. Wikipedia →

Sounds

Song0:39

Brazil · 2026

Song0:44

Colombia · 2022

Song0:09

Colombia · 2021

Global Distribution

Where it is recorded most Our parks where it lives Our cities where it livesIn captivity: 4 zoos & centres

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Tijuca National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~70%
2	Masaya Volcano National Park	🇳🇮 Nicaragua	~70%
3	Chapada dos Guimarães National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~60%
4	Serra dos Órgãos National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~60%
5	Caroni Swamp	🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago	~50%
6	Parque Natural Metropolitano	🇵🇦 Panama	~50%
7	Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	~50%
8	Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~50%
9	Celestún Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~50%
10	Piedras Blancas National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~40%
11	Emas National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~40%
12	Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~40%
13	Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas	🇧🇷 Brazil	~40%
14	Marino Ballena National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~40%
15	Serra da Canastra National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~40%
16	Tayrona National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~30%
17	Iberá National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	~30%
18	Soberanía National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~30%
19	Carara National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~30%
20	Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
21	Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	~20%
22	Chirripó National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
23	Henri Pittier National Park	🇻🇪 Venezuela	~20%
24	Braulio Carrillo National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
25	San Lorenzo Protected Forest	🇵🇦 Panama	~20%
26	Palo Verde National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
27	Chagres National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~20%
28	Cahuita National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
29	Death Valley National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~20%
30	Amacayacu National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~20%
31	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	~20%
32	Corcovado National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
33	Farallones de Cali National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~10%
34	Chapada Diamantina National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~10%
35	Cusuco National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	~10%
36	Calakmul Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~10%
37	Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~10%
38	Lago de Yojoa	🇭🇳 Honduras	~10%
39	Iguazú National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	~10%
40	Manuel Antonio National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
41	Iguaçu National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~10%
42	Main Ridge Forest Reserve	🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago	~10%
43	Darién National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~10%
44	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
45	Itatiaia National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~10%
46	Tenorio Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
47	Biotopo Cerro Cahuí	🇬🇹 Guatemala	~10%
48	Anavilhanas National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	~10%
49	El Impenetrable National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	~10%
50	Pico Bonito National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	~10%
51	Sierra de la Macarena National Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~10%
52	Tortuguero National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
53	Manu National Park	🇵🇪 Peru	~10%
54	Cabo Pulmo National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	~10%
55	La Tigra National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	~10%
56	Rincón de la Vieja National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
57	Volcán Barú National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
58	Las Baulas Marine National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
59	Celaque National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	<5%
60	Santa Rosa National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
61	Bastimentos Island National Marine Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
62	Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	🇧🇿 Belize	<5%
63	Yasuní National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	<5%
64	Tambopata National Reserve	🇵🇪 Peru	<5%
65	Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve	🇪🇨 Ecuador	<5%
66	Ostional Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
67	Amboró National Park	🇧🇴 Bolivia	<5%
68	Los Nevados National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	<5%
69	Poás Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
70	Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
71	Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
72	Tikal National Park	🇬🇹 Guatemala	<5%
73	Bahía de Loreto National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
74	Big Bend National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%

Cities Where Found

#	City	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Salvador	🇧🇷 Brazil	~90%
2	Cali	🇨🇴 Colombia	~80%
3	João Pessoa	🇧🇷 Brazil	~80%
4	Medellín	🇨🇴 Colombia	~80%
5	Rio de Janeiro	🇧🇷 Brazil	~80%
6	Fortaleza	🇧🇷 Brazil	~70%
7	Belo Horizonte	🇧🇷 Brazil	~70%
8	Goiânia	🇧🇷 Brazil	~70%
9	Vitória	🇧🇷 Brazil	~60%
10	San Salvador	🇸🇻 El Salvador	~60%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

#	Zoo / Centre	Country
1	Parque das Aves	🇧🇷 Brazil	In captivity
2	Bronx Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
3	World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	In captivity
4	Castellar Zoo	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity

Closest Relatives at Barranquilla

Columbina passerina

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Columbina squammata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Columbina minuta

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Columba livia

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Zenaida auriculata

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Leptotila verreauxi

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Patagioenas cayennensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Quiscalus mexicanus

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Coragyps atratus

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Ardea alba

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Quiscalus lugubris

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Phaetusa simplex

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

Likely

About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting in Barranquilla on a given day, based on 307 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 18th most-seen of the 153 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

September and October

In those months about 70% of wildlife watchers report a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla on a given day, against about 20% in January, the lowest month. Those are among Barranquilla's wettest months, with about 190 mm of rain a month against almost none in January.

What time of day is best to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

Between 1 and 4 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Ruddy Ground-Dove sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Barranquilla the best place to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

27th of 38

Of the 38 cities where we can rate Ruddy Ground-Dove sightings, Barranquilla ranks 27th at about 40%. The best odds are in Salvador (Brazil, about 90%), Cali (Colombia, about 80%) and João Pessoa (Brazil, about 80%).

Which relatives of the Ruddy Ground-Dove live in Barranquilla?

Same genus: Columbina

The closest relatives of the Ruddy Ground-Dove that you can see in Barranquilla (genus Columbina, Small Ground Doves) are Common Ground-Dove (about 30%) and Scaled Dove (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Ruddy Ground-Dove is recorded against all the birds logged in Barranquilla (307 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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Ruddy Ground-Dove

About the Ruddy Ground-Dove

Sounds

Recent sightings of Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

Cities Where Found

Zoos & Centres Where Found

Closest Relatives at Barranquilla

Common Ground-Dove

Scaled Dove

Plain-breasted Ground-Dove

Rock Pigeon

Eared Dove

White-tipped Dove

Pale-vented Pigeon

Great-tailed Grackle

Black Vulture

Great Egret

Carib Grackle

Large-billed Tern

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

When is the best time to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove in Barranquilla?

What time of day is best to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

Is Barranquilla the best place to see a Ruddy Ground-Dove?

Which relatives of the Ruddy Ground-Dove live in Barranquilla?

Where does the Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting chance come from?