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Photo: derivative work: Snowmanradio (talk) Leptotila_rufaxilla_-in_tree-8.jpg: Dario Sanches / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla) — Pigeons & Doves of South America.

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The Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla) is a member of the Columbidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 157 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Columbiformes
  3. Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
  4. Genus Leptotila
  5. Species rufaxilla

Where it lives

Colombia to northeastern Argentina

Quick facts

Weight
157 g
Family
Columbidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Grey-fronted Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Grey-fronted Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla) belongs to the Columbidae family of the order Columbiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA Colombia to ne Argentina.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 157 g, with a wing length of about 13.6 cm and a tail of around 9.4 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 11.7 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Grey-fronted Dove — Song

Recorded by Jarol Fernando Vaca Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Grey-fronted Dove?

The Grey-fronted Dove is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 157 g.

Where does the Grey-fronted Dove live?

The Grey-fronted Dove is found across South America with a range covering SA Colombia to ne Argentina, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Grey-fronted Dove belong to?

The Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.

What does the Grey-fronted Dove eat?

The Grey-fronted Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Does the Grey-fronted Dove migrate?

The Grey-fronted Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Grey-fronted Dove endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Grey-fronted Dove make?

1 real field recording of the Grey-fronted Dove — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Grey-fronted Dove's range?

The Grey-fronted Dove has a mapped global range of about 11.7 million km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

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Guides for this bird

Meet the Columbidae

A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.

1 min read

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