About Metriopelia morenoi (Sharpe, 1902)
Moreno's ground dove, with the scientific name Metriopelia morenoi (Sharpe, 1902), reaches an approximate length of 17 cm (6.7 in). For adult individuals, the upperparts are mostly dull brown, with a grayish head and shoulders. The throat is light gray, which darkens to brownish gray on the breast and belly. The vent is buffy, and the undertail coverts are reddish brown. The outer tail feathers are black with white tips. The eye itself is blue, surrounded by bright orange bare skin, which is in turn enclosed by a thin black line. The two sexes are almost identical in appearance, with the only difference being that the bare skin surrounding the female's eye is paler than that of the male. Juvenile Moreno's ground doves have plumage similar to adults, but most of their feathers bear rufous fringes. This species is found exclusively in northwestern Argentina. It lives in temperate and puna grassland habitats that feature cacti, scrub, and scattered trees at lower elevations. Its documented elevation range spans from at least 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to 3,200 m (10,500 ft).
