Luzon bleeding-heart facts for kids
The Luzon bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica) is a special type of ground dove. It's one of several birds called "bleeding-hearts" because of a bright red patch on its chest. This patch looks a lot like blood, especially on the Luzon bleeding-heart, where the red color spreads down its belly. People in the Philippines sometimes call it punay or paloma de punalada, which means 'stabbed pigeon'.
What Does It Look Like?
The Luzon bleeding-heart has slate grey feathers on its back and wings. These feathers are also iridescent, meaning they can shimmer and change color in different light. They might look purple, royal blue, or even bottle-green! Its wings have black bands, and its belly and underwing areas are a buff or chestnut color.
It's hard to tell the difference between male and female Luzon bleeding-hearts just by looking. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males are usually a bit bigger and have a brighter red patch on their chest. Females have a slightly duller patch. Like most pigeons, they have a round body, a short tail, and long legs.
Where Do They Live?
The Luzon bleeding-heart is only found on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. This means it is endemic to that area. They live in forests, both old and new, and can be found high up in the mountains, sometimes as high as 1400 meters (about 4,600 feet) above sea level.
These birds are quite shy and quiet. They mostly stay on the ground, searching for food like seeds, berries, and grubs (insect larvae). They only fly up into trees when they are building a nest. Unlike other bleeding-heart doves, they usually lay two eggs at a time.
There are three known types, or subspecies, of the Luzon bleeding-heart:
- Gallicolumba luzonica luzonica: Found in the central and southern parts of Luzon and nearby Polillo Islands.
- Gallicolumba luzonica griseolateralis: Found in the northern part of Luzon.
- Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris: This type is very rare and only found on Catanduanes Island. Scientists believe it might be close to disappearing forever, or even already gone.
Why Are They in Danger?
As of 2016, the Luzon bleeding-heart is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN. This means they could become endangered soon if things don't change. The main reasons they are in danger are:
- Habitat Loss: Their forest homes are being cut down for wood (timber) and to make space for farms. This breaks up their living areas into smaller pieces.
- Trapping: People also catch these beautiful birds to keep as pets because of their striking colors. This also reduces their numbers in the wild.
