Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
high |
| Land-mass type |
shelf island
|
Average mass |
196 g |
Population justification: There is little information about the population size of Gallicolumba luzonica. However, it is considered rare or scarce across its range, though the species may be underreported due to its shy nature (Gibbs et al. 2001, Baptista et al. 2020). The species occurs in undoubtedly low numbers on Polilo where it suffers from continued hunting pressure (Gonzalez and Dans 1996, Gibbs et al. 2001), and Catanduanes where it is known from only a single observation (BirdLife International 2001, Gibbs et al. 2001).
Bird surveys were undertaken December 2009 to September 2010 covering 14 sites across Central Luzon, the Cordillera, Sierra Madre, South Luzon, and West Luzon (Española et al. 2013), covering much of the known range of G. luzonica. The species was found in the highest densities in Cordillera and Central Luzon, and in lower densities in Sierra Madre, South Luzon, and West Luzon, with the species being absent from only the Malinao region in South Luzon (Española et al. 2013). This study estimated site-specific species densities using distance sampling software (Thomas et al. 2010; see Española et al. [2013] for full methods), and used these to derive population estimates for five protected areas (Española et al. 2013). From this method, a G. luzonica population for Northern Sierra Madre National Park (NSMNP) of 4,260 (1,554-15,713) individuals was provided (Española et al. 2013). The second largest population estimate was for Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park, comprising 1,430 (574-3,559) individuals (Española et al. 2013). The remaining protected areas of Quezon Protected Landscape, Mount Isarog Natural Park, and Subic Bay Forest Reserve and Bataan Natural Park had estimated populations of less than 250 individuals each (Española et al. 2013).
The population estimates provided by these surveys have wide confidence intervals (i.e., NSMNP), and represent population sizes for only a select few protected areas (Española et al. 2013). Additionally, the species does occasionally occur in selectively logged and poor-quality secondary growth, including plantations (BirdLife International 2001). However, it is a forest-dependent ground foraging species, and does not venture onto wider paths or clearings (Gibbs et al. 2001). Therefore, although it may occur in less preferable habitat, it is expected that its population density and range is much restricted by large expanses of degraded and unsuitable habitat (Gibbs et al. 2001). The population densities estimated for protected areas (Española et al. 2013) are therefore expected to represent the highest densities of the species. Combining the minimum and maximum population estimates from Española et al. (2013) gives a total population across the five protected areas of c. 2,000-20,000 individuals. Accounting for the unsampled parts of the species' range, and considering that it likely occurs in much lower densities outside protected areas, a total population of 5,000-25,000 mature individuals is estimated.
Trend justification:
Within the current range of G. luzonica, there has been c. 4% forest loss over the past three-generations, and a maximum of c. 8% projected over the next three-generations (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). However, forest loss data likely underestimates the rate of decline for the species. G. luzonica shows partial tolerance for degraded habitats (BirdLife International 2001), but is largely a forest dependent species, that does not venture into clearings (Gibbs et al. 2001). A large portion of the population occurs in Northern Sierra Madre National Park (Española et al. 2013), which is being continually degraded from illegal logging and subsistence timber harvesting at the edges (van der Ploeg 2011). Indeed, habitat degradation is apparent in all areas where the species occurs (Global Forest Watch 2024 based on data from Grantham et al. [2020]). Furthermore, the species it at risk of becoming locally extinct in several areas where it has a small, estimated population, including Mount Isarog Natural Park (c. 234 individuals), Subic Bay Forest Reserve and Batann Natural Park combined (c. 193 individuals) (previously logged), and Quezon Protected Landscape (c. 55 individuals; Española et al. 2013). Declines in the population are likely to be further exacerbated by hunting for consumption (Scheffers et al. 2012), and for the pet trade (BirdLife International 2001, Baptista et al. 2020, Donald et al. 2024). Past declines in the population are likely more in the range of 5-20% when considering continuing loss of habitat quality, and additional impacts of hunting. Further declines are expected in the future, considering the potential for local extinctions in several of the smaller reserves and the ongoing degradation in Sierra Madre and Cordillera (Española et al. 2013, Global Forest Watch 2024).
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Luzon Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba luzonica. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/luzon-bleeding-heart-gallicolumba-luzonica on 20/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 20/12/2024.
