Size: Length; 30cm. Weight; 184g.

Habitat and distribution: The island of Luzon and North Philippines. Primary and secondary forest.

Age: 15 years in the wild, up to 25 years in captivity.

Groups and breeding: Lay 2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for around 17 days.

Diet: Seeds, fallen berries and insects.

• These birds get their name from the vivid red colour at the centre of their white breasts.
• Bleeding Heart Doves are mostly terrestrial (spending most of their time on the ground).
• They are one of the 309 species which form the Columbidae family (pigeons and doves).
• The now extinct Dodo was a member of the pigeon family.
• Flight muscles in pigeons tend to be larger in comparison with other bird groups. Their flight muscles may make up to 44 per cent. of the bird’s body weight!
• There are no differences between pigeons and doves other than size.
• Pigeons produce a crop milk to feed their chicks.
• Pigeons are excellent navigators and use both the magnetic field of the planet and the position of the sun to find their way.