Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon

Gallicolumba luzonica

The Luzon Bleeding-heart is one of a number of species of ground dove in the genus ''Gallicolumba'' that are called "bleeding-hearts". They get this name from a splash of vivid red colour at the centre of their white breasts.
Bleeding heart pigeon - Gallicolumba luzonica Zoo photography ( Adelaide Zoo Australia ) Gallicolumba luzonica,Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon

Appearance

On its upper surfaces, the Luzon Bleeding-heart is slate grey in colour, but because it is iridescent, it can appear to be purple, royal blue, or bottle-green, and the apparent colour varies with lighting conditions. The belly and under wing areas are buff or chestnut. As in most pigeons, there is little sexual dimorphism; males tend to be larger and have a more pronounced red patch, and some authorities claim that the female has a purplish iris, though others dispute this. Body shape is typical of the genus, with a round body, a short tail and long legs.
Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon - Gallicolumba luzonica Seen in Pairi Daiza in Aug 2014. Belgium,Gallicolumba luzonica,Geotagged,Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon,Summer

Distribution

The species is endemic to the central and southern parts of the large island of Luzon, and the neighbouring small Polillo Islands, in the Philippines.
Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon (Gallicolumba luzonica)  Animal,Bird,Columbidae,Columbiformes,Dove,Gallicolumba,Gallicolumba luzonica,Geotagged,Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeon,Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon,Nature,New York State,Rosamond Gifford Zoo,Syracuse,United States,United States of America,Vertebrate

Status

Although not formally regarded as endangered, the Luzon Bleeding-heart is under some threat, since it is commonly trapped. Local people use it for meat, but its striking appearance means that there is also a market for it in the pet trade. A captive breeding project has been started in Australia.

References:

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Status: Near threatened
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderColumbiformes
FamilyColumbidae
GenusGallicolumba
SpeciesG. luzonica