Bridled quail-dove

Scientific name: Geotrygon mystacea

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Small dove with distinctive white loral stripe and orbital ring giving a 'bridled' appearance, slate-blue upperparts, and warm rufous-chestnut underparts. Males are slightly more vibrant than females; size resembles a small pigeon with proportionally longer tail.

Size and weight

Adults weigh 140–180 g; body length 20–23 cm, with minimal sexual size dimorphism.

Habitat

Bridled quail-doves inhabit humid lowland and montane forests, preferring dense understory and forest floor with heavy leaf litter. They occupy elevations from sea level to approximately 2,400 m, favoring areas with thick ground cover and minimal disturbance.

Distribution

Endemic to Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, with established introduced populations elsewhere. Inhabits primary and mature secondary forest with dense understory.

Diet

Forages on the ground for fallen seeds, small fruits, and invertebrates; diet shifts seasonally toward more fruit when available.

Behaviour

Primarily ground-dwelling and solitary or in pairs; most active at dawn and dusk when feeding on the forest floor. Reluctant fliers that prefer running through dense cover; roost in low vegetation at night.

Hunting tips

Look for fine scratches and shallow depressions in leaf litter where birds have kicked material while foraging; droppings are small and dark. Move slowly through dense understory in early morning or late afternoon, listening for soft cooing calls. Approach upwind and use patience near fruiting trees and open glades; flush birds by moving deliberately through their preferred ground-cover zones.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.