Cinnamon Ground Dove

A cinnamon ground dove in a nest.

A cinnamon ground dove perched on a rock.

The cinnamon ground dove (Gallicolumba rufigula) also known as golden-heart dove, red-throated ground dove or golden-heart pigeon is a species of ground-dwelling dove in the genus Gallicolumba.

It is native to New Guinea.

Description

The Cinnamon ground dove is around 22–24 cm long and can weigh anywhere from 121-137g. It has a red 'blushing' mark on its head with a light brown, grey colour covering its over-body it has a yellow marking on its belly which is surrounded by white. Some have blue markings on their heads and body.

Voice

A faint call sounding like a trill, the bird also has a soft purring sound that lasts for a few seconds.

Diet

The cinnamon ground dove's diet consists mainly of insects but also feeds on fallen fruits and seeds. It scavenges through the leaf litter that lies on the ground to find most of its food.

Subspecies

Gallicolumba rufigula rufigula

• Gallicolumba rufigula alaris
• Gallicolumba rufigula helviventris
• Gallicolumba rufigula orientalis
• Gallicolumba rufigula rufigula
• Gallicolumba rufigula septentrionalis

Further reading

• Bruce M. Beehler, Thane K. Pratt: Birds of New Guinea; Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics. Princeton University Press, Princeton 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-16424-3.
• David Gibbs, Eustace Barnes, John Cox: Pigeons and Doves. A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press, Sussex 2001, ISBN 90-74345-26-3.
• Alois Münst und Josef Wolters: Tauben – Die Arten der Wildtauben, 2. erweiterte und überarbeitete Auflage, Verlag Karin Wolters, Bottrop 1999, ISBN 3-9801504-9-6.
• Gerhard Rösler: Die Wildtauben der Erde – Freileben, Haltung und Zucht. Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld-Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0.

References

• Information on Gallicolumba rufigula