Dec 22

Bird of the day

Golden-spotted ground dove

Metriopelia aymara

The golden-spotted ground dove (Metriopelia aymara) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

The adult golden-spotted ground dove's upperparts are pale fawn brown with a reddish pink tinge. Its throat is white, its belly buff, and the underparts between them reddish pink. The inner tail feathers are grayish brown with black tips and the outer ones purplish black. The closed wing shows a row of the eponymous iridescent golden spots, two purplish black patches, and a purplish black swath at the tips of the flight feathers. The eye is brown, and uniquely in its genus, is not surrounded by bare skin. Juveniles are paler than the adults, have little or no pink, and do not have the golden spots on the wing.

Aliases

Metriopelia aymara

Range

Range map of Golden-spotted ground dove

Data retrieved on September 27, 2026 at 5:44 PM