This acrylic painting captures the quiet elegance of the Bleeding Heart Dove, inspired by a photograph I took at the London Zoo. The bird’s soft gray plumage, iridescent wing tones, and signature crimson chest marking are rendered with delicate brushwork and subtle layering. The dove is carrying a dried leaf, likely chosen for nest building. A custom mat was selected to accentuate its natural coloring, creating a harmonious frame. The white background allows the dove’s gentle posture and striking “bleeding heart” to remain the focal point, evoking both vulnerability and resilience.
Acrylic paint on hot press paper. Matted to 12×16 with a custom fabric mat. One of a kind.
About London Zoo
London Zoo, operated by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is a global leader in wildlife conservation. Every visit supports ZSL’s work in over 70 countries, from restoring mangrove ecosystems in Asia to reintroducing dormice in the UK. The zoo also runs breeding programs for critically endangered species and advances scientific research to protect biodiversity. Its mission blends education, ecological restoration, and community engagement to create lasting change.
About the Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove
The Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove is a rare and striking ground-dwelling bird native to the forests of Mindanao and nearby islands in the southern Philippines. Named for the vivid red patch on its chest that resembles a bleeding wound, this dove is shy and elusive, preferring to forage quietly on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and small invertebrates. Unlike its Luzon relative, the Mindanao species has slightly darker plumage and more pronounced feathering around the neck and breast. It is listed as vulnerable and is critically threatened by habitat loss and hunting, making conservation efforts essential to its survival. Its haunting beauty and gentle demeanor make it a poignant symbol of the fragility of island biodiversity.
This acrylic painting captures the quiet elegance of the Bleeding Heart Dove, inspired by a photograph I took at the London Zoo. The bird’s soft gray plumage, iridescent wing tones, and signature crimson chest marking are rendered with delicate brushwork and subtle layering. The dove is carrying a dried leaf, likely chosen for nest building. A custom mat was selected to accentuate its natural coloring, creating a harmonious frame. The white background allows the dove’s gentle posture and striking “bleeding heart” to remain the focal point, evoking both vulnerability and resilience.
Acrylic paint on hot press paper. Matted to 12×16 with a custom fabric mat. One of a kind.
About London Zoo
London Zoo, operated by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is a global leader in wildlife conservation. Every visit supports ZSL’s work in over 70 countries, from restoring mangrove ecosystems in Asia to reintroducing dormice in the UK. The zoo also runs breeding programs for critically endangered species and advances scientific research to protect biodiversity. Its mission blends education, ecological restoration, and community engagement to create lasting change.
About the Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove
The Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove is a rare and striking ground-dwelling bird native to the forests of Mindanao and nearby islands in the southern Philippines. Named for the vivid red patch on its chest that resembles a bleeding wound, this dove is shy and elusive, preferring to forage quietly on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and small invertebrates. Unlike its Luzon relative, the Mindanao species has slightly darker plumage and more pronounced feathering around the neck and breast. It is listed as vulnerable and is critically threatened by habitat loss and hunting, making conservation efforts essential to its survival. Its haunting beauty and gentle demeanor make it a poignant symbol of the fragility of island biodiversity.
