The Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove (Gallicolumba luzonica) is a medium-sized bird in the dove and pigeon family of ground birds.
The Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove is grey with iridescent purple, blue, or green feathers. It has a whitish-buff underbelly that has a reddish stripe that looks like blood on its chest. The male has a brighter red patch than the female. Its wings are grey with black bands. Its body is rounded, with a short tail and long pink legs.
It measures about 30 centimetres (12 inches) long, with a wingspan of 38 centimetres (15 inches).
The Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove is native to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It prefers forests, where it lives on the ground.
It eats seeds, berries, and insect larvae (grubs).
It is shy and quiet, rarely leaving the ground, except when nesting. It is usually seen alone or in pairs.
The female makes a nest of leaves and grass in a bush or tree. She lays 1-2 eggs. Both parents sit on the eggs to incubate them. The eggs hatch after 13-18 days.
The chicks leave the nest within 14 days, and can fly after 21 days.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM