Identification
A smallish, chunky, ground-dwelling species of forests with dense leaf litter; prefers wetter habitats. Secretive but not shy; sometimes detected by the rustling of leaves it is strolling through. The rather similar Key West Quail-Dove lacks iridescent turquoise on the neck and has a reddish or purple upper back unlike Bridled. Ruddy Quail-Doves have less contrasting facial markings and the males have an entirely rusty back; some also sport a vertical white shoulder stripe. Song is a low, plaintive “hoo-hooooooo,” given at a single pitch with second note initially growing louder and then leveling off; first note sometimes omitted.