@ Belize City – Biltmore Plaza Hotel, Belize

Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: (Species Blog #15) – Costa Rica’s national motto and tourism slogan, “La Pura Vida” loosely translates to Live Life or Enjoy Life. With over 900 bird species recorded here, there is certainly lots to enjoy! Join with me as I guide you through the scenic wonderland that is Costa Rica. From the slow-moving waters of the Coastal Mangrove Wetlands to the heights of the Talamanca Páramo, over 300 species of birds will be featured in this blog series. **Some of this Blog Series photos (all taken by me) may have been taken in other nearby countries.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

BIRDS & BIRDING IN COSTA RICA WEBSITE LINK: Ruddy Ground Dove

The Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) is a small New World tropical dove with a widespread distribution. It is a resident breeder found over most of Central and South America, including Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. These doves have also been expanding their range in northwestern Mexico, and sightings in the southwestern United States have increased in recent years, primarily during winter. They adapt well to artificial environments created by human activity and are commonly found in open areas, especially in deforested regions used for pasture or grain farming. Their population status is currently categorized as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Ruddy Ground Dove Distribution Map (from eBird)

More common than the Common Ground Dove, several Ruddy Ground Doves were seen in the Caribbean lowlands near Sarapiqui.

@ Belize City – Biltmore Plaza Hotel, Belize
@ Paton Center for Hummingbirds, AZ
@ Chunyaxché Pueblo, Quintana Roo, Mexico

View the three most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.

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ABOUT THE SITE

With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.

ABOUT ME

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain