Common Ground-Dove Visitors

There are a couple of small Common Ground-Doves that frequently visit our front yard.  I enjoy watching them walk (they actually shuffle) with their little pink heads bobbing back and forth. They're so small they can easily hide in the tall grassy part of the yard so I often spot them when they're foraging on seeds which have fallen from the feeders. 

About the size of a Song Sparrow, the Common Ground-Dove is one of the smallest doves in North America.  It's easy to see the size difference when comparing their size to other doves- the photo above is the same (adult) Common Ground-Dove standing in front of an adult Mourning Dove.  

I rarely see the Common Ground-Dove at the actual feeders, but occasionally they will shuffle along the wooden porch ledge and pick up some of their favorite seeds. Most of the time they forage on the ground below the feeders.  The ground dove’s main weapon against predators is concealment: hiding in vegetation or simply blending into the dusty ground.  Because it nests and feeds on the ground, this small dove lives in constant danger of predation from animals like bobcats, opossums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, dogs, cats, and snakes. Birds hunt it too, including crows, jays, blackbirds, owls, hawks, falcons, and shrikes.  With so many predators, I think I'd stay hidden too!

Common Ground-Dove

Common Ground-Doves are often found in pairs or small flocks, but can be hard to see as their grayish-brown plumage blends in with the ground. People may not notice Common Ground-Doves until the birds flush into nearby brush, displaying rich chestnut wing patches as they fly. When people do spot these tiny, short-tailed doves, they sometimes mistake them for sparrows. You might hear a repetitive moaning call even if the bird is well concealed in the bushes.

They may be abundant, but we don't see many doves in this area.  A few weeks ago, a pair of gray doves were seen perching on a light pole for a couple of days then they moved on.  Occasionally I see a dove or two foraging in the front yard for a few minutes but that's about the extent of it.  

I happened to be outdoors early one morning when this Common Ground-Dove visited for a little while.  He foraged the ground briefly then decided to hang out on the wooden rails along the sidewalk.  He appeared to be quite comfortable in his surroundings, even in the company of several goldfinches and chickadees.  I was surprised that he didn't seem to mind the sound of the shutter release button on my camera.  After a while he flew to the edge of our roof overlooking the porch where he stayed a little bit longer.  Since then, I've looked for his return, but haven't seen him...