The generic name derives from a fusion of the Latin gallus ("chicken") and columba ("pigeon").

It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess Mindanao bleeding-hearts under Philippine Law RA 9147.

Juveniles are dark chestnut or reddish brown with some metallic fringes on the mantle and scapular.

[3] Three subspecies are recognized: It is a shy bird which typically runs from danger, spending most of its time on the forest floor, and only flying short distances if flushed.

It naturally occurs in both primary and secondary tropical lowland rainforests up to an elevation of 750 m. The main threats to the Mindanao bleeding-heart are deforestation and overhunting for food and for the pet trade.

With its exact rate of decline still unresolved, it was downlisted to vulnerable in the 2007 IUCN Red List with the population estimated at 1,000 to 2,499 mature individuals remaining.

Conservation actions proposed include to survey in remaining tracts of suitable habitat and areas with historical records, particularly on Samar and Leyte.