Ruddy Quail-Doves are reddish brown birds of the dove family with light brown facial markings and under belly. They are stocky built but are always on the alert to flee from any perceived treat as they forage on the forest floor.
Ruddy is used to describe something that is reddish in colour as in the case of the ruddy quail-dove. The colour of its reddish-brown tail and wings is often time the only thing you will get a glimpse of as it quickly flees from your approach walking along a track. Their colour makes them fairly conspicuous among green foliage but among tree limbs and the forest floor where they forage, they are not very distinguishable. Their effective camouflage and sense of alert makes it practically a given that they will sense your presence before you sense theirs. Ruddy quail-doves are very skittish. They are not in the business of sticking around and finding out. No threat is perceived as being lesser than the other, without reservation, they are all to be avoided.
The first thing you are likely to hear when in proximity of the ruddy quail-dove is the frantic flapping of its wings as it flees from you being too close for comfort. Apart from the sound of cracking twigs and crushing leaves under the weight of their fairly plump body, they are generally quite silent as they forage on the ground. The bushes are mongoose infested and being a fat bird drawing attention to yourself by making any sound would not be good for their health. At dust and at dawn as the perch in the trees you can hear them boldly making their calls. These low pitch “coo” radiates through the woods and can be heard far and wide.
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Geotrygon
Species: Geotrygon montana
Ruddy quail-doves are mid-sized birds with a frame reminiscent of their namesake, quails. But unlike some quail specie, they are strong flyers that have no challenge taking to the sky and accessing trees
