Bleeding Heart Pigeon
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
There are more than 300 species of pigeons and doves, all of which are rather thick-set with a relatively small head. Only the upper parts of the legs are feathered, and the feet are usually quite bare. The beautiful Bleeding-heart pigeon is a member of the Old world ground dove group.
The Bleeding-heart pigeon takes its name from an unusual mid-breast patch of blood red feathers that look like a bloody wound. This odd plumage is presumed to be for display purposes. Other than this red patch, the bird is grey above and white below.
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
The Bleeding-heart pigeon is found only in the Philippine islands. It lives in the understory of thick forests.
BEHAVIOR:
Unlike other birds, pigeons and doves do not sip when drinking, but instead, immerse their bill, sucking up water.
All pigeon species move about in flocks during the day and roost together at night. These birds have regular habits; they begin the morning with a chorus of calls before the flock sets out to feed and drink. They then return to their perching place, where they stay during the hottest part of the day.
In the afternoon they again go off to feed and drink, finally retiring at night. Such regular habits allow them to adapt quite easily to captivity.
Their most common vocalization is a cooing sound, but various species also growl, hiss, and whistle. They are somewhat noisy in flight due to notches on their primary wing feathers. This sound probably serves to identify them to other birds.
DIET:
The Bleeding-heart pigeon eats seeds, berries, and insects.
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:
All pigeons in general follow similar courtship patterns. The males coo loudly, displaying before the females. At a more advanced stage of courtship the movements seem more like a bowing to the female. These displays sometimes go on for days followed by nest building. The male chooses the nesting site and gathers twigs, roots and other materials, which are set in place by the female. These birds are monogamous and tend to mate for life.
There are usually two eggs in each clutch, elliptical in shape and white, with a faint bluish tinge. Male and female share incubating duties for about 21/2 weeks after which the chicks are hatched nearly naked. These birds are altricial.
They are first fed "crop milk" which is a rich fluid the female parent regurgitates for the chicks to take from her bill. The chicks switch gradually to a diet of seed and fruit.
The parents keep the chicks as warm as possible, until, after about 10 days, their feathers begin to grow in. In less than a month, the young pigeons can fend for themselves although they stay on in the nest a little longer.
