It is difficult to have favorite dove specie. There are so many dove species each so unique. I guess if I really had to make a choice, the Black-winged ground dove would be my favorite species from South America.
Metriopelia melanoptera is an exceptional small dove. This specie is nearly three-quarters the size of a common domestic ringneck dove. The Black-winged ground dove is a plump dove with proportionately shorter tail and wings.
The coloration of the male is as following: The body is basically a tannish-gray with shading that is nearly the color of raw umber. The body processes a pinkish sheen in the sunlight. Two snow-white patches adorn each shoulder and along the edge of the underwing. The primary wing feathers and the outer secondaries as well as most of the underwings are lamp black. The tail feathers are Payne's gray, shading to black. The throat is a soft pale pink and nearly white. The pale pinkish color extends on the belly and ends nearly pale gray at the vent.
The eyes are so unique and very stricking. The eyes are bright green in some individuals while others may have pale blue or soft violet. Each eye is outlined in a bright red ring. The skin surrounding the eyes is very bright orangish-yellow, gold or sometimes salmon pink. Legs and feet are very dark raw umber or even lampblack.
The female is nearly identical to the male except she has less pink sheen and the orbital skin is less brighter than on the male. Black-winged ground doves are not too difficult to sex at maturity.

In the Wild:

This specie inhabits temperate zones in a variety of South American countries. They range from Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, and as far south as Argentina.Their favorite areas are in wooded hillsides. However they are also found in lesser numbers in arid and scrub environments. Black-winged ground doves are migratory. They migrate to lower elevations in winter and even to coastal areas. It is not terribly uncommon to see these delightful doves in small flocks in villages and farms.

Black-winged ground doves as Aviary Birds:

Several years ago an importer in Miami, Florida brought several hundred of these doves into the United States.The Black-winged ground doves were being bred by a few fanciers prior to the importation. The importation was a shot in the proverbial are for this specie. The introduction of new genes certainly would help the present U.S. stock. I was fortunate to be able to purchase two pairs of wild caught birds.
The doves that I received were quite docile and settled into captivity without hestitation. I put both pairs into a large planted aviary at the time. Within a month both pairs were on eggs! Wild caught doves seldom breed the first year or even the second year.
In the next several years the Black-winged ground doves adapted readily to captivity and became excellent aviary birds. From these two pairs I raised nearly a dozen off spring that first year. The second breeding season the two original pairs produced just one young apiece. Each succeeding breeding season was worse. But why? In the wild, most dove species only reproduce one or two offspring to replace themselves. It is totally abnormal for wild doves to breed large numbers of off spring. The first year in captivity, with an abundance of food and no predators these South American jewels out did themselves. Seldom if ever will wild doves continue to be breed like their domestic cousins.

Unique Qualities of this South American Dove:

The Black-winged ground dove has some unusual and unique differences when compared to other doves. When it flies, air rushes through its flights making a whistle-like sound. However perhaps the most endearing quality is the way this dove calls. It does not coo like most of its kin. The male chirps when calling the hen. The chirping is short and low key. The hen does not chirp in return. I have not heard the female of this specie make any sound. Perhaps she does, but I have not witnessed any sounds.

Special Needs:

Black-winged ground doves have some special needs. They are prone to internal parasites such as roundworms. I routinely have droppings analyzed by our avian veterinarian for the presence of internal parasites. Doves that are housed on dirt floors are far more susceptible than doves that are housed on wooded floors. Open, top wire flights are also a source of contamination from wild bird droppings A major source of internal and external parasites as well as disease can be attributed to wild birds.
This specie otherwise is very hardy. Given a dry, draught-free environment they will do very well. All doves need plenty of sunshine and an aviary where they will feel safe and secure.

Diet:

It has been my experience that the Black-winged ground dove will thrive on a basic seed diet.A good quality finch mix,wildbird seed and of course,fresh clean water.I like to feed all of our doves soft food.I know many doves breeders that do not however.Their doves seem to thrive just as well. Nevertheless it is my personal conviction that all doves relish some soft foods.I provide steamed rice,raw grated vegetables and fruits as well meal worms.Our Black-winged ground doves devover the soft food in less than fifteen minutes minutes ! I never over do the soft food.It is strickly a treat to be consumed quickly.Giving doves huge amounts of soft food is not recommended.Soft foods are excellent mediums for bacteria in warm weather.Sterization of all drinking and food dishes will keep nasty germs at bay.Spray millet,cuttle bone and other speciality seeds such as niger seed will keep these small doves happy and healthy.

Breeding:

This species is no more or no less easier to breed than most foreign doves.Some pairs are excellent parents,others are not Many of the South American dove species must be bred one pair per aviary.Unless the aviary is huge and there is lots of cover.The Black-winged ground dove is an exception.They do very well in a group or colony breeding situation.The males do not quarrel nor do they become territorial and fight over nesting areas.Each pair will ignore its kin and nest contently.I have not seen any fighting among any of the doves.Nor do they act aggressively towards other small dove species.
Two eggs are normal for this specie,both parents incubate the eggs.Hatching usually occurs on the fourteenth or fifteenth day.The young fledge at two weeks and continue to be cared for by their parents.