The Luzon bleeding-heart, bleeding-heart dove, bleeding-heart pigeon or punay (Gallicolumba luzonica) is a species of ground dove in the genus Gallicolumba, known as "bleeding-hearts" due to their distinctive red patch on its chest. It was also known as paloma de punalada 'stabbed pigeon' but is nowadays more commonly referred to as just punalada. The Luzon bleeding-heart is the species in which the "blood" feature is most pronounced, while the Mindanao bleeding-heart does have a larger red patch, the Luzon bleeding-heart has a reddish hue extending down the belly, furthering the illusion of a blood stain. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting for the pet trade and for meat.

It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess Luzon bleeding-hearts under Philippine Law RA 9147.

Description and taxonomy

left|thumb|Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park

It is a medium-sized ground dove. On its upper surfaces, the Luzon bleeding-heart is slate grey in color, but because of its iridescence, it can appear to be purple, royal blue, or bottle-green with varying lighting conditions. On their wings are black bands, while their belly and under wing areas are buff or chestnut. It has a white throat, chest and belly but its most distinctive part is its bright red "bleeding heart" at the center of its chest that has a surrounding faint pink that gives off the appearance of fading blood stains.

There is some slight sexual dimorphism; males tend to be larger and have a more pronounced red patch, while in the females it is slightly duller. The body shape is typical of the genus, with a round body, short tail, and long legs.

Its call is described as a repeated single mournful coo lasting 1 to 2 seconds that rises and falls. It also has a 5 and 3 note display call that is gruffly delivered.

Subspecies

thumb|Luzon bleeding-heart at [[Taronga Zoo, Sydney. Taken November 2013]]Three subspecies are recognized:

  • G. l. luzonica – Found on Central and South Luzon and Polillo Islands
  • G. l. rubiventris – Found on North Luzon; darker and more extensive "heart", pale pink brown belly, paler undertail and smaller
  • G. l. griseolateralis – Found on Catanduanes; darker forehead, crown, shoulder, females has darker flanks, undertail but the breast and abdomen is whiter

It occurs in a few protected areas such as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Kalbario–Patapat Natural Park, Angat Watershed Forest Reserve, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Mount Makiling, Mounts Palay-Palay–Mataas-na-Gulod Protected Landscape and Quezon Protected Landscape however actual protection from habitat destruction and hunters is still lax and these threats persist even in protected areas.

References

  • Detailed account by a fancier who has kept the species in captivity