Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove
The Luzon Bleeding-heart Pigeon gets its name from a dark, red patch of feathers on its breast that looks like a bleeding wound. During the breeding season, males attract females by showing an inflated breast to display their vivid blood marking or “heart”.
Range & Habitat
The Luzon Bleeding-heart pigeon is native to the forests of the Philippine islands of central and southern Luzon and Polillo.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
This species is threatened due to the loss of habitat from deforestation, illegal hunting for food and collection for the pet trade.
Diet
In the Wild: seeds, fruits, insects, worms, other small invertebrates
At the Zoo: pigeon pellets, fruit mix, seeds, mealworms, wax moth larvae
Life Span
In Human Care - 25 years
Fun Facts about the Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove
- The bleeding-heart dove, like all doves and pigeons, drinks water by submerging its beak and sucking the water up and swallowing without raising its head between sips.
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When they forage for food, they resemble a chicken; thus their scientific name: Galli means chicken and columba means dove.
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These birds help ensure the success of the forests through seed dispersal.
- It is fairly common for zoo visitors who have never seen this species before to report an "injured bird" to zoo staff due to its wound-like marking.
Sources
Animal Diversity Web: Gallicolumba luzonica -https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gallicolumba_luzonica/
Animalia: Luzon Bleeding-Heart- http://animalia.bio/luzon-bleeding-heart
Lincoln Park Zoo/Animals/Bleeding-Heart Dove - https://www.lpzoo.org/animal/luzon-bleeding-heart-dove/