Gray-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

The Birds of the World website introduces the Gray-fronted Dove with this descriptive information:  Two species of Leptotila doves possess very broad distributions; this species and the even more widespread White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi). Unlike the latter species, the Gray-fronted Dove is found solely in mainland South America, with the exception of Trinidad. It is also restricted to the lowlands and foothills east of the Andes. Compared to the White-tipped Dove, with which the present species is most likely to be confused, observers should note the red (rather than blue) orbital ring, and gray (rather than more whitish) forehead. In some areas habitat differences can also serve to distinguish them, with White-tipped Dove, preferring scrubbier and drier woodland, while voice (Gray-fronted Dove has a single-note call, rather than double-noted) is always distinctive. The Gray-fronted Dove is speculated to form a superspecies with the Gray-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps) and the Pallid Dove (Leptotila pallida), which occur in Middle America and western South America, respectively.

I met my first Gray-fronted Dove on Friday afternoon, August 25, 2023.  Our Jeff Parker Tour group was staying at Southwild’s Jaguar Flotel and on this afternoon we were on a boat excursion exploring neary waterways when we spotted this Dove on the ground near the river bank.  For details of my Brazilian trip that include the sighting of this bird, look here.  Below are a couple of my photos of this rather plain looking Dove.