Birds diurnal

Key West Quail-Dove

Geotrygon chrysia

A secretive gem of the tropical hardwood hammock, the Key West Quail-Dove dazzles with its metallic purple plumage and striking facial stripes. This elusive ground-dweller is a bucket-list find for any backyard birdwatcher in the Caribbean or South Florida.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 10.5-12 inches (27-31 cm); Wingspan: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm); Weight: 5.3-6.7 oz (150-190 g)

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Colors

Upperparts are a rich rufous-brown with brilliant purple and green iridescence on the mantle and neck; underparts are buff or pale grey with a distinct white stripe extending below the eye.

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Key Features

Bold white facial stripe beneath the eye
Shining iridescent purple and bronze back
Ground-dwelling with a plump, stocky profile
Short, reddish-pink legs and a dark bill
Tail is relatively short and rounded

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Season Year-round in the Caribbean; sightings in Florida are most frequent during the spring and summer migration periods.

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Diet Forages on the ground for fallen seeds, small fruits, berries, and occasionally insects or snails found by flipping over leaves.

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Habitat Tropical hardwood hammocks, dense coastal scrubs, and shaded forest floors with deep leaf litter.

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Behavior

The Key West Quail-Dove is a shy and elusive resident of the tropical forest floor. Unlike common pigeons that gather in open parks, this species is a specialist of the shadows, spending the vast majority of its time walking slowly through dense leaf litter. It moves with a rhythmic, deliberate gait, often pausing to blend into the dappled sunlight of the understory.

When startled, it rarely takes flight for long distances, instead preferring to run quickly into thick cover or fly a short distance to a low branch. Socially, they are usually seen alone or in pairs. While they are not known for interacting with humans directly, they can become somewhat accustomed to quiet observers in protected hammocks, provided the habitat remains undisturbed and thick with native vegetation.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Key West Quail-Dove, you must think like a ground-dweller. Place your AI-powered camera no higher than 12 to 18 inches off the ground. These birds spend their lives under the canopy, so aim the lens toward patches of natural leaf litter near the base of native trees like Gumbo-limbo or Pigeonplum. The goal is to capture their foraging behavior, which involves a characteristic 'flicking' of leaves with their beak.

Because they are extremely sensitive to movement, trail cameras are often the only way to get close-up footage without flushing the bird. Use a wide-angle setting if available, as they often approach from the periphery of dense brush. Lighting is your biggest challenge; since they prefer shaded hammocks, ensure your camera has a high-quality sensor for low-light conditions to capture the true brilliance of their iridescent feathers without blowing out the highlights.

While traditional bird feeders won't attract them, a low-profile, ground-level birdbath or a simple dripping water feature is an irresistible lure, especially during dry spells in South Florida or the Bahamas. Set your camera’s trigger speed to the fastest possible setting; although they move slowly while foraging, their 'startle response' is lightning fast. If your camera supports video, 15-second clips are ideal for capturing their rhythmic walking motion and the way their colors shift in the light.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Key West Quail-Dove.

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Lacks the distinct white facial stripe of the Key West species and has a more overall reddish-orange hue.

White-tipped Dove

Larger and more greyish-brown with visible white corners on the tail during flight, lacking the heavy iridescence.

Bridled Quail-Dove

Has a much bolder facial pattern with a white mustache and a dark crown, and is generally more grey than rufous.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours when the light is soft. They prefer foraging in the shade to avoid the heat of the midday sun and potential predators.

The best way to attract them is by maintaining a natural 'wild' corner in your yard with thick leaf litter and native tropical shrubs. A ground-level water dripper is also a highly effective attractant for this species.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fallen fruits from tropical trees. They also supplement their diet with small invertebrates like snails and insects found among fallen leaves.

No, they are quite rare and localized. They are typically only found in suburban areas that are directly adjacent to preserved tropical hardwood hammocks or dense coastal scrub.

The Key West Quail-Dove has a very distinct white stripe running across the cheek below the eye, whereas the Ruddy Quail-Dove has a more uniform facial color and a deeper, redder cinnamon tone on its back.

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