Gray-chested Dove Leptotila cassinii Scientific name definitions

The Gray-chested Dove is found over much of Central America, from Guatemala southwards, as well as in parts of northern and western Colombia. It prefers second-growth vegetation and has been recorded to approximately 1400 m elevation. Compared to its congenerics, the Gray-chested Dove should be readily distinguished, given a good view, by its rather darker head and underparts than other Leptotila. In common with other members of the genus, this species is likely to be initially located by its calls, in this case a low-pitched, single-noted whooooh, which rises slightly at first and then falls. Also, like other Leptotila, the Gray-chested Dove is most readily encountered on the ground, when searching for seeds and small insects, and is always observed singly or in pairs. It is generally fairly common throughout its Central American range, but rather less abundant in Colombia.

22·5–28 cm; 132–179 g. Forehead pinkish grey; crown and nape dark brown; throat white; breast vinaceous grey becoming iridescent greyish purple on hindneck; belly vinaceous, undertail-coverts white; upperparts olive-brown with green or purple iridescence on mantle and inner wing-coverts; primaries and rectrices darker than rest of upperparts; outer two rectrices white-tipped; underwing-coverts chestnut, some chestnut on underside of primaries; iris greyish yellow, yellow to greenish yellow; orbital skin grey but dull red at posterior angle and loral region; legs and feet red; bill black, lores red. Female darker. Races differ mainly in coloration; rufinucha paler with purpler breast, rusty buff nape and crown contrasting with pale forehead; <em>cerviniventris</em> similar to previous race but stronger purplish pink on breast.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Prefers second-growth forests and Heliconia thickets, ranging up to 1400 m. Occurs on Caribbean slope of Costa Rica from sea-level to 750 m, but occurs only locally on S Pacific slope to 1200 m. In Panama, usually in lowlands on Caribbean slope, but as high as 1284 m in Pacific foothills of W Chiriquí.

Resident from Mexico to N Honduras, and probably elsewhere.

Diet poorly known; species takes seeds and some small insects. Terrestrial in its habits; encountered singly or in pairs, never in flocks.

Song is a single mournful monotonous note 'woOOOooo' which fades rapidly in and slowly fades out. Length is about 1.2s, frequency typically about 400-600Hz (somewhat longer than L. rufaxilla). Repeated every 4-8s.

In Costa Rica, season Feb–May and Jul–Sept; in Panama, Feb–Sept; in Colombia, 10 birds taken in breeding condition, Jan–Apr. Nest is typically a shallow concave platform of sticks, petioles and straw 1–5 m above ground on horizontal branch of a tree, in thicket or in vine tangle. Clutch consists of 2 white to pale buff eggs.

Not globally threatened. Poorly known, but considered to be fairly common throughout most of its range; fairly common from Mexico to N Honduras; uncommon in Colombia. Research required.