Columbina (genus)
Encyclopedia
Columbina is a genus
that contains seven species
of small ground doves
that live in the New World
. Species in Columbina have ranges from the southern United States
through Central America
and much of South America
. Columbina doves are normally found in pairs or small flocks
. They generally occur in open country. They have maroon irides
and pinkish legs. In flight, some species show a distinctive flash of rufous in the wings, while others show black-and-white wing-patterns.
The above 2 species are sometimes considered to be in their own genus Scardafella
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
that contains seven species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of small ground doves
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
that live in the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
. Species in Columbina have ranges from the southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
through Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and much of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Columbina doves are normally found in pairs or small flocks
Flock (birds)
A flock is a group of birds conducting flocking behavior in flight, or while foraging. The term is akin to the herd amongst mammals. The benefits of aggregating in flocks are varied and flocks will form explicitly for specific purposes...
. They generally occur in open country. They have maroon irides
Iris (anatomy)
The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. "Eye color" is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it can be hazel , grey, violet, or even pink...
and pinkish legs. In flight, some species show a distinctive flash of rufous in the wings, while others show black-and-white wing-patterns.
Species
- Inca DoveInca DoveThe Inca Dove is a small New World dove; it might belong to the genus. It ranges from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica; the Inca Dove only lives on the Pacific side of Central America. Despite being named after the Inca Empire, this species does not...
, Colimbina inca - Scaled DoveScaled DoveThe Scaled Dove is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela....
, Columbina squammata
The above 2 species are sometimes considered to be in their own genus Scardafella
- Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Columbina cyanopis
- Common Ground DoveCommon Ground DoveThe Common Ground Dove is a small bird that inhabits the southern United States, parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. The Common Ground Dove is considered to be the smallest dove that inhabits the United States...
, Columbina passerina - Croaking Ground Dove, Columbina cruziana
- Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Columbina buckleyi
- Picui Ground Dove, Columbina picui
- Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Columbina minuta
- Ruddy Ground DoveRuddy Ground DoveThe Ruddy Ground Dove is a small New World tropical dove. It is a resident breeder from Mexico south to Peru, Brazil and Paraguay, and northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago...
, Columbina talpacoti