Mindanao bleeding-heart  (Gallicolumba crinigera)

Description

This peculiarly coloured pigeon is one of 11 bleeding-heart species, so called because of the large blood-red patch on their breast (3). The ‘bleeding-heart’ varies slightly in shape and colour among species; the Mindanao having a patch that is larger and more uniformly dark red than other bleeding-hearts’, that contrasts with its white breast and throat (2). Its upperparts are a dark chestnut, with an iridescent greeny-bronze head and neck, and creamy-buff underparts (4). The male and female are similar except for the colour of the iris; the male’s is blue whilst the female’s is purplish. Juveniles differ by being predominantly reddish brown (2). Similar to other pigeons, the Mindanao bleeding-heart has a repeated cooing call (4).

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