Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

The Eared Dove, named after its iridescent dark mark just below its cheek, is native to savannah and urban areas of much of South America from Colombia in the north to Argentina and Chile in the south and some Caribbean islands.

Male and female have similar plumage, males slightly brighter. Several other doves in the genus Zenaida also have a black "ear" mark (see links below).

The dove is commonly shot by hunters and there are some farms raising them for that purpose for shooting parties, able to shoot thousands in a day.