Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us in our virtual “From the Nest” edition! Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Grenada Dove
One of the rarest birds in the world – the Grenada Dove – is found only in Grenada. It is a shy and elusive bird, staying well hidden within the forested hills and valleys of its dry forest habitat. It is a medium sized (~200g) dove with brown upperparts, buffy cinnamon-coloured breast and neck, and grayish forehead, face and crown. Its legs and feet are bright pinkish-red. The belly is white with a strip of white feathers that extends from its side up around the bend of the wing (key field mark!). It is a thrilling experience to get a glimpse of one of these rare birds, walking under the canopy looking for food or calling from a branch. Make sure to observe them from a distance of course so that they are not disturbed!
The Grenada Dove is Critically Endangered. The entire population is estimated at less than 160 individuals*. It lives in just 2 small parcels of remaining dry coastal forest in the southwest and west coast of Grenada. Like most doves, the Grenada Dove spends most of its time scouring the ground for seeds. If you aren’t lucky enough to get a glimpse of this dove, you will most certainly hear them calling during the breeding season. Its characteristic call is a single descending note hooooooo that is repeated every 7-8 seconds, sometimes for long periods during the breeding season when males are territorial. The nest is a platform of twigs constructed in a tree, palm or bush up to 4 m above the ground.
The main threat to the Grenada Dove is loss of habitat. Its coastal scrub habitats are unfortunately prime areas for development (resort, residential and industrial). The dove’s survival is also threatened from predation by introduced predators, especially mongoose but also cats, rats, and opossum. While there are two Protected Areas legally established for the conservation of the dove (Mt Hartman National Park and Beausejour Estates), they cover only a portion of where the dove is found. The remaining habitat is both crown and private lands. Predator control programmes have also been taking place in the protected areas. Everyone can do their part to help save this beautiful and unique species from extinction by supporting conservation of its forest habitat. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Grenada Dove!
Download the page from Endemic Birds of the West Indies Colouring Book. Use the drawing above or photo below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the call of the Grenada Dove
The Grenada Dove’s call is a descending hoooo which repeats consistently every 7-8seconds.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS & ADULTS: You can see the the Grenada Dove for yourself through a fantastic virtual visit to the Mt. Hartman National Park, established in 1996 to protect the dove in the following videos:
Learn more about Mt Hartman National Park, the dove, threats to its habitat and long-term survival, and the efforts to conserve the dove:
