Negros Bleeding-heart
Gallicolumba keayi
A very rare medium-sized ground dove of foothill forest floor on Negros and Panay. Iridescent greenish-blue on the head and sides to the chest, scaled on the upper back, with brownish flight feathers. White underparts narrow from the throat down the chest to the belly. Obvious white crescents mark the wing and sides of the chest. Note the 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. Song is a short, accelerating series of low notes.
Identification
Ebird describes it as "A very rare medium-sized ground dove of foothill forest floor on Negros and Panay. Iridescent greenish-blue on the head and sides to the chest, scaled on the upper back, with brownish flight feathers. White underparts narrow from the throat down the chest to the belly. Obvious white crescents mark the wing and sides of the chest. Note the 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. Song is a short, accelerating series of low notes."<p>25 cm (10-in) is its total length. Ground-feeder but roosts and nests on bushes or vines; seen in pairs in a flock. Birds with enlarged gonads recorded in April and May and a recent fledgling obtained on May 3.<p>It has been recorded nesting in March - June with chicks fledging after only 12 days, apparently as an adaptation to the vulnerability of their open and low nests in epiphytic ferns. Nests appear to be regularly predated. The species predominantly feeds on plant material, although there is some potential evidence to suggest that they may also occasionally feed on ground invertebrates.
Taxonomy
Genus: Gallicolumba; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.
- Scientific name
- Gallicolumba keayi
- Authority
- (Clarke, WE, 1900)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Gallicolumba
Range and habitat
The Negros bleeding-heart lives primarily in primary forest up to 1,200 meters above sea level. They are sensitive to habitat disturbance and do not tolerate second growth as well but there are some sparse records..<p>It is critically endangered with the population estimated to be 50 -249 mature individuals remaining. They are threatened by hunting for food, trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss . Continuing rates of forest loss on the two islands where it occurs suggest that it will continue to decline. By 2007, Negros and Panay had a 3% and 6% remaining forest cover with most of this being higher elevation forest where this bird does not thrive in. Despite already paltry forest cover, deforestation still continues thanks to both legal and illegal logging, conversion into farmland, mining and road development. Trapping and hunting for food and, presumably, for the cage-bird trade constitute other threats.<p>It was bred for the first time in captivity in 2007 at the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies. As of 2013, the captive population totals 18 individuals, 14 of which have been bred from birds confiscated from the illegal bird trade. Captive breeding is being undertaken by the Talarak Foundation supported by the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation. There are plans for future reintroductions.<p>Conservation actions proposed include fieldwork and surveys in areas where they have been reported and other areas with suitable habitats. Provide protection for existing habitats like the Northern Negros Forest reserve. Encourage reforestation activities with an emphasis on native trees. Create education and awareness campaigns to aid in conservation and prevent hunting and the pet trade.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-rumped Treeswift
Hemiprocne longipennis
Long-winged and long-tailed, this inhabitant of the forest canopy closely resembles a swift, but unlike true swifts, frequently perches upright for long periods of time. Dark gray above with a short, angular crest and dark orange cheek patches. Female is paler below than male. Long tail is sometimes opened in a deep fork when in flight, but appears long and thin when closed. Longer-winged and longer-necked silhouette than swifts in flight. Forages both aerially and by hawking from an exposed perch. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, particularly wet forests. Gives series of squeaky calls.
Gray-headed Cicadabird
Edolisoma schisticeps
A medium-sized bird of foothill and adjacent lowland forest and edge. Male is uniform slaty gray with a black edge to the wing, black tail tip and a black face. Female is rufous. In some races, the female has a gray crown and others have faint barring on the underparts. Similar to male Common and Papuan Cicadabirds, but male Gray-headed has more gray in the wing. Also similar to female Black Cicadabird, but female Gray-headed Cicadabird has black in the wing and lacks the pale brow. Various upwards and downwards nasal whistles plus an excited chattering.
African Snipe
Gallinago nigripennis
Chunky, cryptic, short-legged, long-billed shorebird. In flight, shows much white on the outer tail and underwing. Found in thickly vegetated wetlands. Restricted to middle and high elevations across the majority of its range. Most often seen when it flushes explosively, often giving a rough “shrik” call. Display vocalization is a long accelerating series of “kik” notes, followed by a hollow booming made by the outer tail in flight display. Similar to Common Snipe, but darker and with much white in the outer tail. Also easily confused with the uncommon Great Snipe, but African is paler, lacks strong bars on the wing, and has a white rather than dark underwing.
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