Luzon Bleeding-heart
Gallicolumba luzonica
A medium-sized ground dove of forest floor from the lowlands to lower mountains on Luzon. Bluish-gray on the head and back, with a pale gray forehead, a blackish wing, a pale gray shoulder and wingbars, a white throat, chest, and belly, and an obvious bright red “bleeding heart” in the center of the chest. Unlikely to be mistaken if seen well. The only other dove likely to flush from the ground would be Asian Emerald Dove. Voice is a mournful hooting note, first rising, then falling.
Identification
On its upper surfaces, the Luzon bleeding-heart is slate grey in color, but because it is iridescent, it can appear to be purple, royal blue, or bottle-green, and the apparent color varies with lighting conditions. On their wings are black bands, while their belly and under wing areas are buff or chestnut.<p>As in most pigeons, there is little sexual dimorphism; males tend to be larger and have a more pronounced red patch, while in the females it is slightly duller. The body shape is typical of the genus, with a round body, a short tail and long legs.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gallicolumba luzonica
- Authority
- (Scopoli, 1786)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Gallicolumba
Range and habitat
The Luzon bleeding-heart is endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines where the locals call it Puñalada. It lives in primary or secondary forests, and can be found at altitudes varying from up to 1400 meters above sea level. They eat seeds, berries and grubs. They are shy and secretive, and very quiet, and rarely leave the ground except when nesting. Unlike the other bleeding-hearts, they usually lay two eggs in each clutch.<p>Three subspecies of the Luzon bleeding-heart are known: Gallicolumba luzonica luzonica, Gallicolumba luzonica griseolateralis, Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris.<p>Gallicolumba luzonica luzonica is found on the central and southern parts of the island of Luzon, and the neighboring Polillo Islands, while Gallicolumba luzonica griseolateralis is found on the northern part of the island. Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris meanwhile, is found exclusively on the island of Catanduanes where a single specimen was collected in 1971; this subspecies is very rare and believed to be near extinction or already extinct.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
As of 2016, the Luzon bleeding-heart is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. This is due to the species being threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation through deforestation for timber extraction and agricultural lands. It is also commonly trapped as a pet for its striking plumage.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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