CR

Grenada Dove

Leptotila wellsi

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Leptotila wellsi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion across its extremely limited range in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. The species' dependence on primary and mature secondary forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining forest patches become increasingly isolated and degraded. Mining activities and urban development further reduce available habitat, while the small population size increases vulnerability to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wells's Dove inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and mature secondary forests in the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, typically below 500 meters elevation. The species shows a strong preference for dense forest understory with thick canopy cover and minimal human disturbance.

Forest· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorShrubland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionInvasive/problematic species controlSpecies managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationFormal educationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in COLUMBIDAE

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Negros Fruit-doveCR

Negros Fruit-dove

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Purple Quail-Dove

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Threatened in Grenada

Humped BladderwortCR

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Boetersiella sturmi

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Aniba ramageana

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Grenada Dove classified as Critically Endangered?
Grenada Dove is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Leptotila wellsi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion across its extremely limited range in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. The species' dependence on primary and mature secondary forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining forest patches become increasingly isolated and degraded. Mining activities and urban development further reduce available habitat, while the small population size increases vulnerability to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.
Where does Grenada Dove live?
Grenada Dove occurs in Grenada. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Grenada Dove?
The main threats to Grenada Dove are 1.1, 11.1, 11.2, and 11.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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