Rare bleeding-heart pigeon spotted in Philippines after 20 years

A camera in the Philippines captured an extremely rare bird called the Mindoro bleeding-heart pigeon, confirming its presence in the wild after 20 years. The bird was spotted in the Puerto Galera rainforest on Mindoro island in August and is the first confirmed photograph of the species Gallicolumba platenae in two decades. The Center for Conservation Innovation Ph Inc. (CCIPH) highlighted the significance of the photograph, stating that a single image can carry great importance for an extremely rare and secretive species.

The bird's distinct orange-red spot on its white chest, along with iridescent green plumage on its head and neck, sets it apart from other Philippine bleeding hearts. The pigeon is a ground-dwelling species endemic to Mindoro, and while it was historically common in the island's forests, confirmed sightings became extremely rare during the latter half of the 20th century.

The last confirmed record of the pigeon was in 2005, when an individual was caught in a snare intended for red junglefowl. The prolonged absence led to the Search for Lost Birds program listing the pigeon as a "lost" species and classifying it as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species is typically found in lowland forests, usually at elevations of around 400 meters, but the camera trap photographed the bird at an elevation of over 900 meters.

This suggests that the bird may be running out of lowland habitats to inhabit. The pigeon's habitat, the forest, is under threat due to tourism growth and potential illegal logging and poaching, making conservation efforts crucial to ensure its survival.