Bleeding-heart Dove

Gallicolumba luzonica

Gallicolumba luzonica is endemic to the central and southern regions of Luzon and the smaller offshore island Polillo. These islands are located in the northern region of the Philippine Archipelago, one of the largest island groups in the world. Luzon is heavily populated and has a mountainous region in the north. The climate varies greatly with a wet season occuring from June to October and a dry season from November to May. (del Hoyo, et al., 1997)

Gallicolumba luzonica inhabits lowland forest and spends the majority of its time on the forest floor feeding. These birds roost and nest in low to medium height trees, shrubbery and vines. They use the thick surrounding undergrowth to escape from predators. They can be found from sea level to elevations of 1400 m.

In captivity these birds are monogamous and maintain a strong bond, usually pairing for life. During breeding, males attract females with courtship displays. The male chases the female displaying an inflated breast to fully show his vivid blood markings or "heart". Once the female is smitten, the male bows his head and coos lovingly to his intended mate

It has proven difficult to observe these shy birds in their natural habitat, hence little is known about their reproductive behaviors outside of captivity. It is presumed that nesting most likely occurs during mid-May when other subspecies of the same genus nest on nearby Philippine islands. In captivity, breeding pairs can mate year-round. Females lay 2 creamy white eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for 15 to 17 days; the cock sits on the eggs during the day and the hen sits on them at night. Although the young leave the nest after 10 to 14 days, parents continue to feed the fledglings for up to one month. At 2 to 3 months the young begin to develop adult plumage and must be separated from the parents. If this does not occur, parents will attack and sometimes kill their young. At 18 months, the juveniles go through a second molt and become sexually mature.

Parents go to great lengths to be good caregivers to their altricial young. Incubation usually takes 15 to 17 days; both parents are responsible for this task, usually switching places only twice each day. The chicks are fed "crop milk". This substance is very close in consistency and chemical make-up to mammal milk. Both parents regurgitate this nutrious, high protein substance that is produced in the lining of their crop. Although the chicks leave the nest after 10 to 14 days, parents stay close to their offspring for 2 to 3 months.

In their natural habitat, these terrestrial birds feed primarily on seeds, fallen berries and a variety of insects and worms found on the forest floor. In captivity, the birds may be fed oilseeds, vegetables and cheese for added nutrients when a pair is breeding.

Diamond dove

Geopelia cuneata

The diamond dove belongs to the class Aves (all birds) , the order Columbiformes (pigeons, doves, dodos, and solitaires), the family Columbidae (pigeons and doves), and the genus Geopelia which includes five small, long tailed doves that eat grains and live in the relatively open savanna and semi-arid regions in Australia and Indonesia. One of the five species, the zebra dove, has a range that extends into the Southeast Asia mainland. Four of the species have barred plumage while one, the dove, has spotted plumage. The diamond dove is sometimes known as the little dove and the little turtle dove.

The diamond dove is one of the smallest of the Australian doves, weighing only 23 to 32 grams and has a length of 193 to 213 mm. It has a gray body and the adult bird has white diamond specks on its wings. The eyes of the adult bird are set off by a pronounced orange ring. The adult birds can often be sexed by the thickness of the eye ring and the color of their wing feathers. The males have a silver gray color and an orange or red eye ring of 2-3 mm in thickness after an age of one year. The females tend toward a brown gray color and have an eye ring of about 1 mm in thickness.

These doves feed on seeds, primarily from grasses. They may also eat some ants. They feed on the ground in pairs or small groups, to winter flocks. They always need to be near drinking water.

Two white eggs usually laid one day apart. The eggs are incubated from 13 to 14 days. The male will sit on the eggs during the day and the female will sit on the eggs at night. Sometimes both birds will sit on the nest together, especially toward the end of the incubation period. The young are hatched without feathers but are fully feathered within a week and are flying within 12 to 14 days after hatching . The parents feed the young regurgitated food for the first two weeks as the babies usually take two weeks before they are able to peck sufficient food for themselves. Caged babies usually have to leave their parents around day 20 though some stay considerably longer. In captivity diamonds live 10 to 14 years or more. We had one pair that lived about 21 years. I have also head that others have had diamonds that lived into their twenties..

The diamonds were imported to Europe in the late eighteen hundreds. They were raised in the London Zoological Garden as early as 1868. They were also raised in Denmark and France. Now they are raised throughout this country and have become one of the most popular of aviary birds and is an excellent choice for those just starting. They do not require special insect food, rarely get sick, and in large aviaries (not small enclosures like cages) can usually be kept with other small, peaceful, birds such as finches.

Over the years that diamonds have been kept in captivity, breeders have been working to develop birds with a variety of colors. According to Brown there are 27 colors available.