Systematics

Four subspecies are recognized for Ruddy Ground-Dove. Along the western flank of Mexico is C. t. eluta. The eastern coast of Mexico is occupied by C. t. rufipennis; this subspecies extends down into Central America south to Colombia and northern Venezuela, including Trinidad and Tobago and Margarita Island. The Cauca Valley of western Colombia is occupied by  C. t. caucae, while C. t. talpacoti is found throughout the remainder of South America as far as northern Argentina (Baptista et al. 1997). Coloration varies depending on geographic location. Birds that show up in southwestern United States are paler than those show up in Texas with overlap of coloration among males in the southwest and females in Texas (Sibley 2001b). Birds in western Mexico (C. t. eluta) are paler than those in eastern Mexico (C. t. rufipennis) (Howell and Webb 1995).

Ruddy Ground-Dove forms a superspecies with Ecuadorian Ground-Dove (C. bukleyi) (Baptista et al. 1997).