Gallicolumba keayi
The Negros Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba keayi) is a strikingly beautiful, medium-sized ground dove, measuring about 25 cm (10 inches) in length. Its most distinctive feature, lending it its evocative name, is a vibrant, iridescent purplish-red to orange patch on its pure white breast, creating the illusion of a fresh wound. This dramatic mark contrasts sharply with its iridescent green crown, nape, and upper mantle, shimmering with coppery-bronze hues in good light, while its back and wings a...
This critically endangered species inhabits lowland primary and advanced secondary forests, preferring dense undergrowth and leaf litter, typically found at elevations up to 1,000 meters.
Its diet primarily consists of fallen seeds, berries, small fruits, and various invertebrates found by meticulously sifting through the forest floor's leaf litter.
The Negros Bleeding-heart is a highly secretive and shy ground-dwelling pigeon, spending most of its time foraging quietly on the forest floor. It employs a distinctive scratching motion, much like a chicken, to sift through leaf litter for food, often remaining motionless for extended periods to...
The Negros Bleeding-heart is strictly endemic to the West Visayan islands of Negros and Panay in the central Philippines. Historically, it was more widespread across the lowland forests of these islands, but its current distribution is severely restricted and highly fragmented. Remaining populati...
Critically Endangered
- The 'bleeding heart' on its breast is not just red, but an iridescent purplish-red to orange, shimmering with different hues depending on the light, making it a truly captivating display. - It is one of the most critically endangered bird species in the world, with its population severely fragm...