Plain-breasted ground dove

The plain-breasted ground dove is a captivating member of the Columbidae family. It can be easily distinguished from its relative, the common ground dove, by its smooth feathers that lack the typical scaled pattern. This bird was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760 as "Columba minuta." Later, in 1825, German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix reclassified it into the genus "Columbina." There are four recognized subspecies of this dove.

Small and lightweight, the plain-breasted ground dove measures about 14–16 cm in length and weighs between 24–26 grams. It has a broad distribution across South and Central America, with populations found in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. This adaptable bird thrives in various environments, including dry savannas, shrublands, grasslands, and even disturbed forests.