Chiriqui Quail-Dove Zentrygon chiriquensis Scientific name definitions

Also called the Rufous-breasted Quail-Dove, in reference to its rufous foreneck, breast and sides, and formerly sometimes regarded as being conspecific with the Lined Quail-Dove (Geotrygon linearis) of northern South America, the Chiriqui Quail-Dove is widely sympatric but not syntopic with the Buff-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon costaricensis). The Chiriqui Quail-Dove also ranges through Costa Rica to western Panama, but is an inhabitant of drier mid-elevation montane forests, principally at 600 to 1700 m, but the species also ranges locally to 300 and 3100 m. Like most quail-doves, it is more frequently heard than seen, and is most usually seen when feeding on a forest trail. Its behavior appears to be largely similar to those of other quail-doves, although few specific and detailed data for the Chiriqui Quail-Dove have been published to date.

Male 27–31 cm, female 26–32 cm; 295–308 g. Crown slate grey becoming darker towards middle and rear, but paler on forehead ; upperparts chestnut becoming purplish on upper back then olivaceous with greenish gloss on lower back; remiges dusky sometimes tinged chestnut; conspicuous black malar stripe; thin black short postocular line and thin black loral stripe; chin and upper throat buffy white deepening to rufous on foreneck, chest and sides and becoming pale cinnamon buff on belly; flanks and undertail-coverts cinnamon brown; iris brownish orange, orbital skin red; cere and bill black; legs and feet purplish red. Female often indistinguishable from male, but usually darker on breast and grey of crown duller. Juvenile has upperparts including crown brown, with darker crown and occiput; rufescent wing-coverts, dusky subterminal bar or spot on wing-coverts and scapulars; foreneck, breast and sides similar to adult but with dull black bars.

Costa Rica to W Panama (Chiriquí, Veraguas).

Understorey of mountain forests at mid-elevations from Cordillera de Guanacaste S to W Panama. Prefers drier forests to Z. costaricensis. Occurs at 600–1700 m on Carib­bean slope, but locally and in SE Costa Rica to 2000 m; on Pacific slope occurs at 1000–2500 m, occasionally up to 3100 m. Calls incessantly during breeding season from a perch 1–3 m above ground and sometimes from an empty nest. Regularly visits a rubbish dump beside Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Resident. Flushes with rattling wings.

Feeds on seeds, fallen fruit and small invertebrates. Occurs singly or in pairs feeding on the ground; birds may feed along roads and trails in early morning.

Song  is a single monotonous note 'wooOoh', gradually swelling in amplitude. Length is about 0·75–0·9 s with a frequency of 400–500 Hz, sounding thus quite low-pitched. Repeated every 3–5 s.

Eggs in late Aug in Panama; nest in Sept in Costa Rica. Nest is a shallow cup of leaves and twigs placed on the end of a branch of a slender tree overhanging a ravine; one was situated 2·5 m above ground in a coffee tree. Lays 2 buffy or creamy white eggs.

Not globally threatened. Very little information available on status but species is considered to be rather localized in both Costa Rica and Panama. Research required, as well as surveys to establish true status.