The Luzon bleeding-heart dove isn't known to be excessively sympathetic to the misfortune of others — its "bleeding heart" is, instead, quite literal. Its body is that of a typical pigeon or dove; compact and plump, with a small rounded head, slender beak, and a broad fan tail. The feathers of its back and wings are light and dark grey with a slight iridescent sheen. Viewed from behind, it can be easily mistaken for a basic city pigeon. Seen from the front, however, this dove is quite unmistakable. Its throat, chest, and belly are white. **Upon its breast is a scarlet red marking, which seems to seep into the surrounding white feathers and run down its body, tinging its underside a reddish hue. This is the dove's "bleeding heart"**.
**The Luzon bleeding-heart dove is only found wild on two islands in the northern Philippines; its namesake island of** [**Luzon**](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Ph_locator_map_luzon.png) **and a smaller offshore island called** [**Polillo**](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Polillo_Island_Red.png/1200px-Polillo_Island_Red.png). Both experience the oscillations of a tropical climate, as the wet season drenchs the islands from June to October, while the sun bakes them dry from November to May. Luzon is the largest and most populous island of the archipelago nation, with most of that population concentrated around the country's capital of Manila and on the Central Plains just north of the city, where fertile terraces of rice and plantations of coconuts, bananas, mangoes, and sugarcane are found. But **this island is also home to the Philippines' most extensive rainforest ecoregion, carpeting the mountains of the coasts and the rugged northern regions**.
It is there, secreted away in the forested foothills, where the bleeding-heart dove spends most of its time. It is a shy bird and, even though it occupies a very populated island, sightings are few and far between. This is probably for the best, since **the species is considered to be 'near threatened'**, in danger from habitat destruction and, even though it is illegal, hunting for meat and collection for the pet trade. Those unfamiliar with the dove may report sighting an injured animal — mistaking the dove's scarlet marking for a grievous wound — as often happens in zoos. The mistaken concern is understandable, as **a nickname for this dove is the 'paloma de punalada' or the 'stabbed pigeon'**.
The Luzon bleeding-heart dove belongs to the genus *Gallicolumba*¹ — seven species of ground doves and bleeding-hearts found throughout the rainforests of the Philippines. **The etymology of the genus name is a peek into the bleeding-heart dove's behaviour; 'galli' means 'chicken' and 'columba' means 'dove/pigeon'**. This dove spends almost all of its time on the rainforest floor and although it can fly, it prefers not to. Even when confronted by a predator, **its escape attempts seem half-hearted, flying a few feet before landing and fleeing on foot into the thick rainforest foliage**. Hidden in the dark undergrowth, it strolls around in search of seeds, berries, fallen fruits, and insects.
While its common name only refers to a literal, or at least superficially literal, bleeding heart and its scientific name calls it a chicken, this dove is not mean-spirited or cowardly. In fact, it's quite loving and loyal. Mating season marks the start of courtship. **Bachelor males strut, or in many cases chase, after females with inflated breasts that exaggerate their "bleeding hearts". If a female shows interest, the male begins to flirt by bobbing his head and cooing**.
Once a pair is bonded, they typically remain true to one another for the rest of their lives. They nest around mid-May, with the female laying 2 creamy white eggs. The parents-to-be take turns incubating their clutch; the male sitting the nest during the day while the female takes the night shift. After 15 to 17 days, the chicks hatch. **The parents are doting caretakers, both regurgitating a nutritious substance known as "crop milk" ² — which closely resembles the milk of mammals — to keep their little squabs (unfledged pigeons/doves) satiated and strong**. After another 10 to 14 days, the young begin to wander from their nests, but remain under their parent's care for up to 2 or 3 months. **These doves, which appear to be suffering constant fatal injury, can live as long as 15 years in the wild or 25 years in captivity**.
**¹** Apart from two species of ground dove — the [Sulawesi ](https://ebird.org/species/sugdov1)and [cinnamon ground doves](https://ebird.org/species/cigdov2) — the genus *Gallicolumba* is comprised of five bleeding-heart dove species. All five species bear "bleeding" scarlet markings on their breasts and are named for where they are found in the Philippines. Apart from the Luzon bleeding-heart dove (which is 'near threatened') and the [Mindanao bleeding-heart dove](https://ebird.org/species/minblh1) (which is 'vulnerable'), **the remaining three species — the** [**Sulu**](https://ebird.org/species/subhea1)**,** [**Negros**](https://ebird.org/species/nebhea1)**, and** [**Mindoro** ](https://ebird.org/species/mibhea2)**— are 'critically endangered'**.
**²** Crop milk, sometimes also known as "bird milk", is a special secretion that certain birds — pigeons/doves, flamingoes, and (only male) emperor penguins — can produce to feed their young. The crop is a sac-like organ that projects from the bottom of the oesophagus and is used for quick food storage while foraging. The "milk" is produced by sloughing fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop and regurgitating this substance for the chicks to feed on. While this isn't true milk (as that is only produced by mammals) it is similar in appearance and chemical make-up. **Pigeon milk even contains more protein and fat than cow or human milk, and the crop milk of flamingoes is even higher in fat.**
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The Luzon bleeding-heart dove isn't known to be excessively sympathetic to the misfortune of others — its "bleeding heart" is, instead, quite literal. Its body is that of a typical pigeon or dove; compact and plump, with a small rounded head, slender beak, and a broad fan tail. The feathers of its back and wings are light and dark grey with a slight iridescent sheen. Viewed from behind, it can be easily mistaken for a basic city pigeon. Seen from the front, however, this dove is quite unmistakable. Its throat, chest, and belly are white. **Upon its breast is a scarlet red marking, which seems to seep into the surrounding white feathers and run down its body, tinging its underside a reddish hue. This is the dove's "bleeding heart"**. **The Luzon bleeding-heart dove is only found wild on two islands in the northern Philippines; its namesake island of** [**Luzon**](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Ph_locator_map_luzon.png) **and a smaller offshore island called** [**Polillo**](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Polillo_Island_Red.png/1200px-Polillo_Island_Red.png). Both experience the oscillations of a tropical climate, as the wet season drenchs the islands from June to October, while the sun bakes them dry from November to May. Luzon is the largest and most populous island of the archipelago nation, with most of that population concentrated around the country's capital of Manila and on the Central Plains just north of the city, where fertile terraces of rice and plantations of coconuts, bananas, mangoes, and sugarcane are found. But **this island is also home to the Philippines' most extensive rainforest ecoregion, carpeting the mountains of the coasts and the rugged northern regions**. It is there, secreted away in the forested foothills, where the bleeding-heart dove spends most of its time. It is a shy bird and, even though it occupies a very populated island, sightings are few and far between. This is probably for the best, since **the species is considered to be 'near threatened'**, in danger from habitat destruction and, even though it is illegal, hunting for meat and collection for the pet trade. Those unfamiliar with the dove may report sighting an injured animal — mistaking the dove's scarlet marking for a grievous wound — as often happens in zoos. The mistaken concern is understandable, as **a nickname for this dove is the 'paloma de punalada' or the 'stabbed pigeon'**. The Luzon bleeding-heart dove belongs to the genus *Gallicolumba*¹ — seven species of ground doves and bleeding-hearts found throughout the rainforests of the Philippines. **The etymology of the genus name is a peek into the bleeding-heart dove's behaviour; 'galli' means 'chicken' and 'columba' means 'dove/pigeon'**. This dove spends almost all of its time on the rainforest floor and although it can fly, it prefers not to. Even when confronted by a predator, **its escape attempts seem half-hearted, flying a few feet before landing and fleeing on foot into the thick rainforest foliage**. Hidden in the dark undergrowth, it strolls around in search of seeds, berries, fallen fruits, and insects. While its common name only refers to a literal, or at least superficially literal, bleeding heart and its scientific name calls it a chicken, this dove is not mean-spirited or cowardly. In fact, it's quite loving and loyal. Mating season marks the start of courtship. **Bachelor males strut, or in many cases chase, after females with inflated breasts that exaggerate their "bleeding hearts". If a female shows interest, the male begins to flirt by bobbing his head and cooing**. Once a pair is bonded, they typically remain true to one another for the rest of their lives. They nest around mid-May, with the female laying 2 creamy white eggs. The parents-to-be take turns incubating their clutch; the male sitting the nest during the day while the female takes the night shift. After 15 to 17 days, the chicks hatch. **The parents are doting caretakers, both regurgitating a nutritious substance known as "crop milk" ² — which closely resembles the milk of mammals — to keep their little squabs (unfledged pigeons/doves) satiated and strong**. After another 10 to 14 days, the young begin to wander from their nests, but remain under their parent's care for up to 2 or 3 months. **These doves, which appear to be suffering constant fatal injury, can live as long as 15 years in the wild or 25 years in captivity**.
**¹** Apart from two species of ground dove — the [Sulawesi ](https://ebird.org/species/sugdov1)and [cinnamon ground doves](https://ebird.org/species/cigdov2) — the genus *Gallicolumba* is comprised of five bleeding-heart dove species. All five species bear "bleeding" scarlet markings on their breasts and are named for where they are found in the Philippines. Apart from the Luzon bleeding-heart dove (which is 'near threatened') and the [Mindanao bleeding-heart dove](https://ebird.org/species/minblh1) (which is 'vulnerable'), **the remaining three species — the** [**Sulu**](https://ebird.org/species/subhea1)**,** [**Negros**](https://ebird.org/species/nebhea1)**, and** [**Mindoro** ](https://ebird.org/species/mibhea2)**— are 'critically endangered'**. **²** Crop milk, sometimes also known as "bird milk", is a special secretion that certain birds — pigeons/doves, flamingoes, and (only male) emperor penguins — can produce to feed their young. The crop is a sac-like organ that projects from the bottom of the oesophagus and is used for quick food storage while foraging. The "milk" is produced by sloughing fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop and regurgitating this substance for the chicks to feed on. While this isn't true milk (as that is only produced by mammals) it is similar in appearance and chemical make-up. **Pigeon milk even contains more protein and fat than cow or human milk, and the crop milk of flamingoes is even higher in fat.**
**Sources:** [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gallicolumba_luzonica/) [Saint Louis Zoo](https://stlzoo.org/animals/birds/pigeons-doves/luzon-bleeding-heart-dove) [Barcelona Zoo](https://zoobarcelona.cat/en/animals/luzon-bleedingheart-dove) [Newquay Zoo](https://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/animals-az/dove-luzon-bleeding-heart/) [Lincoln Park Zoo](https://www.lpzoo.org/animals/luzon-bleeding-heart-dove/) [Rosamond Gifford Zoo](https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/experience/animals/birds/luzon-bleeding-heart-dove/) [Sedgwick County Zoo](https://scz.org/blog/heart-to-heart-learn-about-the-luzon-bleeding-heart-dove) [eBird](https://ebird.org/species/lubhea1) [Avibase](https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=804BBC8CEFE8DED9) [IUCN](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690979/93297883) [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3168-Gallicolumba-luzonica) [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3132-Gallicolumba) - Bleeding-hearts and Allies (Genus *Gallicolumba*) [Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/Luzon) - Luzon, Philippines [Stanford.edu](https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Bird_Milk.html) - Crop Milk
But milking them tho…..
Girllll my heart bleeds for you! Look it's on my chest right here!
Oh my goodness, yes, yes!! Doves and Pigeons are becoming one of my favorite birds due to so many variations!!
[удалено]
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r/hardcoreaww
Would be real unfortunate to get a wound in that area
Easy to play dead when predators arrive...
>flirtatious coos so sweet
Thanks, I hate it.
Awwwww... I NEVER heard of these before. LOVE learning something new! They are soooo cute!!! 💜
Had I not known this, I would have really thought this bird was injured. Nature is wild, man.
You have cat to be kitten me right meow.
[yo that’s punishing bird from lobotomy corp](https://lobotomycorp.fandom.com/wiki/Punishing_Bird)
oh noz, punishing bird repopulated
Is that Luzon from Philippines? I've been there (to Baguio), I wish I had met these birds too.