One of the world’s rarest bird species successfully hand-reared
The arrival of three chicks has boosted the survival odds of one of the most endangered birds in the world.
Conservationists are celebrating the successful hand-rearing of a trio of blue-eyed ground doves (Columbina cyanopis), a rare species found only in Brazil. With fewer than 11 adults left in the wild, the successful breeding of these chicks brings hope for the future of the species.
Once shrouded in mystery, the blue-eyed ground dove hadn't been confirmed in the wild for over 70 years, until its rediscovery in 2015. Since then, conservationists have been working tirelessly to ensure this beautiful bird survives. The species faces many threats, including human-caused fires and the impacts of climate change.
Earlier this year, a team of Brazilian and international conservationists (including our experts here at Chester Zoo) worked together to carefully incubate a select number of wild-laid eggs. The successful hatching of these chicks will contribute to the creation of an insurance population, helping protect the species for generations to come.
Andrew Owen, Head of Birds at Chester Zoo, has been a key part of this project since 2019, following his involvement in an IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group workshop aimed at saving the species. Alongside Victoria Kaldis, Lead Keeper for Birds, Andrew travelled to Brazil to provide vital technical support and assist with the hand-rearing of the chicks as part of an international team of experts.
It’s a real privilege for Chester Zoo to be involved in the work to help conserve the blue-eyed ground dove. This unique species is on the brink of extinction and without the dedication and passion of all the conservationists involved, including Chester Zoo’s bird staff, this bird may be lost forever.
Andrew Owen, Head of Birds
Andrew continued:
"This year saw the successful hand-rearing of three blue-eyed ground doves - building on the successes of 2023 and 2024 and doubling the conservation-breeding insurance population. "Around-the-clock care and attention are needed to rear these tiny and delicate birds."
The hope is that once the blue-eyed ground doves reach maturity, they’ll begin breeding in their specially designed aviaries at Parque das Aves, growing the insurance population for the species. The long-term vision is to build a strong, self-sustaining population that will help secure the future of the blue-eyed ground dove in the wild.
These chicks are the result of a remarkable collaboration between Chester Zoo, Parque das Aves, and SAVE Brasil (BirdLife International in Brazil), with additional support from Toledo Zoo and Bronx Zoo in the U.S. The Chester Zoo bird team has been a crucial part of raising these chicks at the Brazilian facility, making a real impact on this incredible conservation effort.
Seeing these chicks is exciting. Each hatching represents a real chance to reverse the fate of this species. It is a joy and also a great responsibility. With the arrival of these three new individuals, Parque das Aves is now home to six blue-eyed ground doves. All are being carefully monitored and are part of a coordinated reproductive management plan.
Paloma Bosso, Technical Director of Parque das Aves
Ben Phalan, Head of Conservation at Parque das Aves, explained, “The blue-eyed ground dove depends on the efforts of many people and institutions, so that its song can be heard in the Cerrado for many years to come.”
The blue-eyed ground dove is critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. Once widespread across Brazil’s Cerrado biome (savanna), its numbers have dramatically dropped due to habitat loss from farming and timber plantations.
Today, the species’ only known population is in Botumirim, Minas Gerais, and a 2025 census confirmed that the blue-eyed ground dove remains critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.
Given its tiny population, maintaining healthy genetics through careful breeding is vital. The species’ management is based on scientific research, including data from the Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Evolution of Birds (LGEMA) at the University of São Paulo. Genetic analysis helps guide decisions around pairing, kinship, and ensuring genetic diversity.
In parallel, conservationists are focused on preserving the Cerrado habitat, so the birds in human care can eventually be released to help boost the dwindling wild population. Recently, SAVE Brasil, with support from Botumirim State Park, decided to suspend visits to the Blue-eyed Ground Dove Nature Reserve to reduce environmental stress on the remaining wild birds.
