Mindoro bleeding-heart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mindoro bleeding-heart |
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| A Mindoro bleeding-heart study skin in the Smithsonian collection | |
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Gallicolumba
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| Species: |
platenae
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The Mindoro bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba platenae) is a special type of ground dove. It lives only on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. Local people, the Mangyan, have different names for it like kulo-kulo or punay.
This bird is very rare and is listed as Critically Endangered. This means it is in great danger of disappearing forever. Its biggest threat is habitat loss, which happens when its forest home is destroyed. This destruction is often due to people digging for marble. Because it's so rare and good at hiding, scientists don't know much about how many are left.
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About the Mindoro Bleeding-Heart
The Mindoro bleeding-heart is related to four other "bleeding-heart" doves found in the Philippines. These five birds, along with another type of ground dove, belong to a group called Gallicolumba. Scientists believe these Philippine bleeding-hearts all came from the same ancient bird.
This particular bleeding-heart dove is unique because it does not have any smaller groups or subspecies. It is a one-of-a-kind species.
What Does It Look Like?
This ground pigeon is about 26 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) tall. Its forehead is dark gray, and this color changes to a shiny green on its head and neck.
Its belly, from its throat to its sides, is a creamy white. But the most special part is a bright, red patch in the middle of its chest. It looks like a fresh wound, which is why it's called a "bleeding-heart." This patch is more orange than the patches on its relatives.
The back of the dove has a reddish-purple color, and its wings are chestnut brown. Its tail is gray. You might also see small white triangle shapes on its shoulders. Young Mindoro bleeding-hearts have not been seen enough for scientists to know what they look like.
Male and female Mindoro bleeding-hearts look very similar. Females are usually a bit smaller and have purple eyes.
Where Does It Live?
The Mindoro bleeding-heart lives only on Mindoro island in the Philippines. It usually lives in low-lying forests, around 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, it has been seen higher up, at 750 to 800 meters (2,460 to 2,625 feet).
Since 1980, this bird has only been seen in four areas on the island. This is because much of its favorite home, the thick, old forests, has been cut down. These areas include Puerto Galera, Siburan, and Mounts Iglit–Baco Natural Park. Scientists think there might be other small groups of these birds hiding elsewhere.
This dove likes dry forest floors with lots of bamboo and rattan plants. It sometimes lives near limestone rocks. It has also been seen near dry riverbeds in flatter forest areas.
The Mindoro bleeding-heart does not fly far or migrate. It prefers to run away from danger. It only flies for a short time if it absolutely has to escape a predator.
Behavior and Life
Vocalizations
Scientists have only a few recordings of the Mindoro bleeding-heart's call. Some of these recordings are not shared publicly. This is to help protect the birds from being trapped. Its call sounds like a "croo croo," similar to another bleeding-heart dove.
Reproduction
Mindoro bleeding-hearts have been seen breeding from February to May. Their nests, made of sticks, leaves, and small roots, have been found in late April and June. These nests usually hold two cream-colored eggs. They are built on tree branches, about 1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6.5 feet) off the ground. One time, a female bird was seen pretending to be hurt to distract from her nest.
Food and Feeding
Scientists don't know much about what the Mindoro bleeding-heart eats. However, they believe it eats similar things to the Luzon bleeding-heart. It has been seen eating figs alongside green pigeons.
Threats to Survival
The Mindoro bleeding-heart is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Experts believe there are only about 50 to 249 adult birds left, and their numbers are still going down. There are no Mindoro bleeding-hearts living in zoos or special centers.
The main dangers to this bird are losing its home and being trapped. Forests are being destroyed by illegal logging and by people using dynamite to blast for marble. Another method called slash-and-burn farming (or "kaingin") also destroys forests. In 1988, only a small part of Mindoro's forests was left. Snares, which are traps meant for other animals like chickens or small mammals, often accidentally catch these doves.
Protecting the Mindoro Bleeding-Heart
Mindoro island has lost more forest cover than almost any other island in the Philippines. This makes its unique animals, like the Mindoro bleeding-heart, very vulnerable. This lowland bird has been hunted with snares for food and to be sold as pets.
To help save this bird, scientists suggest several actions:
- Map the remaining forests on Mindoro to find out exactly where the birds live.
- Study the birds to understand what they need for breeding and finding food.
- Start programs to breed them in safe places.
- Control hunting and the cutting down of trees in important bird habitats.
Many NGOs (groups that are not part of the government) are working to protect the Mindoro bleeding-heart. The Haribon Foundation has worked for over 15 years to involve local communities. They teach people about conservation and help them develop other ways to make a living. This organization also works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local governments to create laws against deforestation.
One special method they use is "rainforestation." This means planting native trees that are easy to grow. This is different from typical reforestation, which sometimes uses trees that are not native to the area.
Images for kids
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Mindoro Island, where the bleeding-heart dove lives.
