Habitat: This species is hard to find, but will favor undergrowth of humid forest and adjacent dense secondary growth in the lowlands. Distribution: This species has been reported from Costa Rica to northwestern Ecuador. Natural History Notes: Usually solitary, the Quail-dove walks along the forest floor unsuspiciously until it is... startled. Then it freezes, or slowly and quietly walks away. Or sometimes it flushes to a nearby low perch where it nervously nods its head and raises its "rearparts". James Karr (1971) observed the birds eating fruits on two occasions; he did not hear any vocalizations. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). It is a resident species. Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 9 inches and 10 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). The plumage is mostly olive brown on the above and we can see that the forehead is white, as well as the large facial stripe. Then, the nape and the back are brilliant purple. The part below is brownish gray, with a more whitish coloration on the throat and becoming more beige on the flanks. The female has a darker pattern of coloration and more beige forehead.