[order] COLUMBIFORMES | [family] Columbidae | [latin] Columba bollii | [UK] Bolles Laurel Pigeon | [FR] Pigeon de Bolle | [DE] Bolles Lorbeertaube | [ES] Paloma turque | [NL] Bolles Laurierduif
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
Physical charateristics
Large, dark brown and grey pigeon. Mainly dark sepia-brown, redder on underparts. Pale grey tail with broad, whitish terminal band. Extensive green gloss to rear crown and hindneck becoming pink on upper mantle. Whitish bill and pale eye. Similar spp. Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon C. bollii has pale grey subterminal band and blackish terminal band to tail. Dark tail base and rump and overall slate-grey colouration. Voice Crooning pu-pu-pooo.
| wingspan min.: | 65 | cm | wingspan max.: | 68 | cm |
| size min.: | 37 | cm | size max.: | 40 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 18 | days | incubation max.: | 19 | days |
| fledging min.: | days | fledging max.: | 19 | days | |
| broods: | 2 | eggs min.: | 1 | ||
| eggs max.: | 1 |
Range
Africa : Canary Islands
Habitat
Nesting occurs exclusively in trees within laurel forest. The height of the nest varies, the most frequently used tree species being Erica arborea, Laurus azorica, Myrica faya and Ilex canariensis. Nests appear well camouflaged by foliage possibly to protect them from aerial predators such as Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Buzzard Buteo buteo or Raven Corvus corax. They can be re-used for successive clutches and successive years. The most common nest material is small branches of heath Erica arborea.
Reproduction
Nesting occurs exclusively in trees within laurel forest. The height of the nest varies, the most frequently used tree species being Erica arborea, Laurus azorica, Myrica faya and Ilex canariensis. Nests appear well camouflaged by foliage possibly to protect them from aerial predators such as Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Buzzard Buteo buteo or Raven Corvus corax. They can be re-used for successive clutches and successive years. The most common nest material is small branches of heath Erica arborea.
The breeding season extends from October to July although it is very possible that birds breed all year round. The long breeding season must be related to the continuous availability of fruit, the main food of this species.
The clutch is a single egg incubated for 18-19 days and the chicks spend 30-35 days in the nest.
The breeding season extends from October to July although it is very possible that birds breed all year round. The long breeding season must be related to the continuous availability of fruit, the main food of this species.
The clutch is a single egg incubated for 18-19 days and the chicks spend 30-35 days in the nest.
Feeding habits
The diet is mainly made up of fruit the precise composition varying with the timing of fruiting of different tree species. Besides fruit, the birds feed on leaves, shoots, and leaf and flower buds, and they may, if the opportunity presents itself, supplement their diet with small invertebrates. Some cereals (wheat, rye) are also taken. Birds have been observed feeding both on the ground and in the trees.
Conservation
This species has a very small range and a small population that has declined rapidly in the past. However, numbers have been increasing in recent decades and it is therefore classified as Near Threatened.
Columba bollii is endemic to Europe, where it has a very small range (<2,500 km2) on the Canary Islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. Its breeding population is small (as few as 2,500 pairs), but was stable between 1970-1990, and probably increased slightly during 1990-2000. Nevertheless, its population size renders it susceptible to the risks affecting small populations, and consequently this globally Near Threatened species is provisionally evaluated as Rare in Europe.
This species is found on Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. On Gran Canaria the remains of a pigeon that used to inhabit the island have been found. Its bones are similar to those of Laurel Pigeons, but it has not been possible to identify the species due to lack of comparative material.
The estimated minimum total population of Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon is 1,150-1,300 individuals (Emmerson 1985) However, recent studies suggest that the population is about 1,700 individuals.
Columba bollii is endemic to Europe, where it has a very small range (<2,500 km2) on the Canary Islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. Its breeding population is small (as few as 2,500 pairs), but was stable between 1970-1990, and probably increased slightly during 1990-2000. Nevertheless, its population size renders it susceptible to the risks affecting small populations, and consequently this globally Near Threatened species is provisionally evaluated as Rare in Europe.
This species is found on Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. On Gran Canaria the remains of a pigeon that used to inhabit the island have been found. Its bones are similar to those of Laurel Pigeons, but it has not been possible to identify the species due to lack of comparative material.
The estimated minimum total population of Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon is 1,150-1,300 individuals (Emmerson 1985) However, recent studies suggest that the population is about 1,700 individuals.
Migration
Resident and endemic to the canary islands
Distribution map
