Luzon bleeding-heart dove (Gallicolumba luzonica)

What do I eat?

The Luzon bleeding-heart dove will look for food while on the ground. They search around the forest floor for different types of seeds, fallen fruits and invertebrates such as insects and snails.

Where do I live?

Luzon bleeding-heart doves are found within 3 islands that are in the Northern Philippines, one of these islands is Luzon, which is the source of the bird’s name.

They are found in areas that have dense vegetation, lowland and tropical forests and even been known to live near agricultural plantations.

Breeding

These birds are able to breed from 18 months old. After an elaborate courtship display, Luzon bleeding-heart doves will build a nest in a low bush or tree using twigs, roots, leaves and grasses. The female will usually lay around 2 eggs, and they are cared for by both parents.

When the chicks hatch the parents will feed them ‘crop milk’ for their first few days which is very high in energy and is made in a pouch just below the parent’s throat. Soon the chicks are introduced on to solid food given by the parents. After around 12-16 days the chicks will leave the nest (fledge).

Predators

It is believed that the Luzon bleeding-heart dove is hunted by various animals that share the same habitat, including native mammals, reptiles and birds of prey.

To stay safe, these birds will spend much of their time hiding within dense plant growth on the forest floor.

Conservation

Luzon bleeding-heart doves face threats from habitat loss, due to deforestation for timber and to make room for agricultural land. These birds are also known to be trapped and sold as pets.

This species of dove are known to be found in many areas across its range, which is due different conservation programmes put in place to protect the areas that these animals and other unique species are found within. These birds are also a part of captive breeding programs around the world, which has helped to increase their number in captivity.