This bird is a bashful and rotund dove, typically found dwelling in forests characterized by dense canopies, an open understory, and layers of fallen leaves on the forest floor.
Meet the Blue-headed Quail-dove:
“File:Blue-headed quail dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala).JPG” by Charles J Sharp is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. (cropped)
The blue-headed quail-dove, scientifically known as Starnoenas cyanocephala or blue-headed partridge-dove, is a distinctive bird belonging to the pigeon and dove family Columbidae. Notably, it stands as the sole representative within the subfamily Starnoenadinae and the genus Starnoenas. The blue-headed quail-dove boasts an overall cinnamon-brown plumage with a strikingly bright blue crown. Its features include a distinctive black eye stripe, a white facial stripe, and a black gorget delicately bordered with white markings, along with blue mottling on its sides. It typically measures around 30 to 33 centimeters in length.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Irene is marked with CC0 1.0.
In terms of sexual dimorphism, both male and female individuals appear quite similar. However, there’s a subtle disparity between them: the female displays a diminished gloss in her hindneck and breast compared to her male counterpart.
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Juvenile birds, on the other hand, exhibit a less vibrant appearance. Their feathers are tinged with buff-brown along their back, scapulars, and wings, with some feathers bearing buff fringes on the breast. Their heads are adorned with a less vivid blue hue. Furthermore, their legs and feet take on a subdued shade of red.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Christoph Moning is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
This bird is endemic to Cuba.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Christoph Moning is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
The blue-headed quail-dove thrives in its natural habitat of lowland forests and swampy areas. Occasionally, it can be spotted in highland forests.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Irene is marked with CC0 1.0.
This species predominantly inhabits the forest floor, where it actively forages for a diet consisting of seeds, berries, and snails. While it’s often seen in pairs, larger groups of up to 18 birds have been documented congregating around water holes.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Christoph Moning is licensed under CC BY 4.0. (cropped)
The Blue-headed Quail-Dove engages in its breeding activities between the months of April and July. During this period, it constructs a distinctive nest, typically a platform crafted from twigs, occasionally lined with rootlets, and consistently adorned with fresh leaves. This nest is strategically situated in various locations, including within dense low shrubs, among tree roots, on top of tree stumps, and sometimes even amidst Tillandsia epiphytes. Remarkably, these nests are usually placed at altitudes of less than 1.75 meters above the ground. But The female of this species lays a clutch of 1 to 2 white eggs. Following the laying of eggs, the incubation phase commences, spanning approximately 17 days. Once hatched, the chicks emerge covered in long, buffy-white down. The precise duration of their fledgling period remains undisclosed or unknown.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Irene is marked with CC0 1.0.
Once widespread across Cuba, this species has faced a significant decline and is now either very rare or nearly extinct across much of its range. Current estimates suggest a population size ranging from 1,000 to 2,499 individuals, with three populations showing healthier numbers near the Zapata Swamp and in the Pinar del Río Province. However, it’s possible that the population density is higher than previously assumed.
“blue-headed quail-dove” by Christoph Moning is licensed under CC BY 4.0. (cropped)
Watch this bird right here:
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