Azuero Dove (Leptotila battyi) [XC59622]
by Isis Ochoa from Coiba Island, Panama (call)
Azuero Dove (Leptotila battyi) [XC185584]
by Christina Blewett from Cerro Equis Trail, Coiba Island, Coiba National Park, Veraguas, Panama (song)
Subspecies
Brown-backed Dove (Leptotila battyi) has been widely treated as a separate species from either Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps) or Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla) on the basis of its distinct call and very slight plumage differences (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely and Gwynne 1989, Baptista et al. 1997, Dickinson 2003). Although Stiles and Skutch (1989) and Gibbs et al. (2001) suggest little or no difference between the voices of plumbeiceps and battyi, we provisionally accept battyi as a species pending further work determining the relationships of these taxa, rufaxilla and pallida.
Has been considered part of a superspecies with Grey-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla), Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps), Pallid Dove (Leptotila pallida) and Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi), and all five have been considered conspecific. Most commonly placed within Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps), but has different vocalizations. Also related to White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi).
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps).
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
malae Griscom, 1927 - Pacific slope of Panama in southern Veraguas and western Herrera, including Cebaco I. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps).
battyi Rothschild, 1901 - Coiba I (off south-central Panama). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps).
Similar Species
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) which lacks grey crown, has a less brownish appearance and more white on outer rectrices. Call has same cadence but is deeper.
References
See References.