These birds are found on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines. Their name comes from the vibrant red patch marking their chest.
Life of a Luzon bleeding-heart dove
Luzon bleeding-heart doves grow up to one foot long and weigh up to 6.5 ounces. They live an average of 15 years in the wild. They are seen alone or in pairs but do not form flocks.
Males attract mates by running after females. They puff out their chest to display bright red markings while making a cooing call.
They nest close the ground in low trees and shrubbery. After mating, females lay two eggs. Both females and males take turns sitting on the eggs. Chicks leave the nest within two weeks but continuing feeding from parents for two months. Both males and females feed their young with crop milk, a nourishing liquid produced in the Luzon bleeding-heart’s digestive tract.
Luzon bleeding-hearts rely on the forest floor for food. They eat seeds, fallen berries, insects and worms. They rarely fly and are more like to run when preyed upon. Predators include larger birds of prey, snakes and foxes.
Luzon bleeding-heart doves at the zoo
Located in the Tree Top Aviary.
