Ground dove (SciiFii)

The ground dove (Geoenas collaris), also known as the American sandgrouse, is a species of dove that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the ground dove is the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto). The ground dove fills the similar ecological niche to the sandgrouses of the Old World, hence one of its common names, being primarily a ground-dwelling bird that feeds primarily on many kinds of seeds from many different plant species. Breeding takes place between February and September, peaking earlier in the northern part of the range than the south. The male has a courtship display in which he walks round in circles with his beak near the ground and his tail raised high. The nest is a shallow depression in the soil or sand, lined with a few bits of dried vegetation, often hidden between grass tufts or under a bush. Two or three eggs are laid and both sexes take it in turn to incubate them. They hatch in about 24 days. The chicks are precocial, being active with eyes open and clothed in fluffy down as soon as they are hatched. In about a month they have grown adult-type feathers and can fly. The gound dove is most often seen in groups of one to five birds, often two or four. The birds are monogamous and these are probably pairs or family units. In the morning they tend to feed in dry areas well away from water but in the afternoon they are most often seen near watering places. They visit water again, often in larger groups of up to 10, after dark. The conservation status of the ground dove is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the ground dove's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii