Sulu Bleeding-heart

This medium-sized pigeon is a rare resident of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. It is identified by its short tail and the bright metallic green feathers that cover its crown and forehead, extending down to its breast. The bird earns its name from a large, pale orange spot with blurry edges positioned on the center of its chest. This patch is framed by the green feathers of the mantle, while the throat and chin are pure white. Its back is a ruddy-brown color, and its belly is ashy-gray.

The Sulu bleeding-heart is endemic to Tawi-Tawi and its neighboring islets. It lives in beach forests on smaller islands and prefers primary or secondary forests with a closed canopy on larger ones. These birds are generally sedentary and spend their time on the forest floor, where they search for food. They are elusive and will run into the undergrowth if they are startled. They only use trees to roost or mate, and they typically fly only short distances.

Finding this bird is a challenge, as there have been no confirmed sightings since two specimens were collected in 1891. While reports from local people suggest it was common until the 1970s, subsequent surveys have failed to locate it. The species is threatened by the loss of its habitat, as most of the forests on Tawi-Tawi were logged by 1994. Any remaining population, which may number fewer than 50 individuals, also faces risks from uncontrolled hunting.