Ruddy Ground Dove – Las Orquedeas, CR

Our Costa Rica birding tour through Arenal and La Fortuna gave us plenty to watch without travelling far from our hotel. We spotted this Ruddy Ground Dove at Las Orquideas, tucked among the broad tropical leaves and bright heliconia. Ruddy Ground Doves are common throughout much of Costa Rica, especially around gardens, farmland, roadsides, and other open areas. Males show a richer reddish-brown plumage, while Ruddy Ground Dove females are generally paler and browner. Despite the name, they do not always stay on the ground, as this bird demonstrated nicely from its leafy perch. Las Orquideas and the surrounding La Fortuna countryside provided excellent birding between our outings around Arenal.