Geotrygon is a bird genus in the pigeon and dove family (Columbidae). Its members are called quail-doves, and all live in the Neotropics. The species of this genus have ranges from southern Mexico and Central America to the West Indies and South America. Quail-doves are ground-dwelling birds that live, nest, and feed in dense forests. They are remarkable for their purple to brown coloration with light-and-dark facial markings.
The genus Geotrygon was introduced in 1847 by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse.[1] The name combines the Ancient Greek geō- meaning "ground-" and trygōn meaning "turtledove".[2] The type species was subsequently designated as the crested quail-dove (Geotrygon versicolor).[3]
Members of the genera Zentrygon and Leptotrygon are also known as quail-doves, and were formerly included in Geotrygon. The species Starnoenas cyanocephala was previously referred to as a quail-dove, though this English name is no longer used.[5]