Bolle's Pigeon
Bolles Laurel Pigeon (Columba bollii )
Bolles Laurel Pigeon (Columba bollii ), also called Boll wood pigeon, Bolls pigeon or dove Canary Islands, is a pigeon that is found on La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. The name goes back to the German Carl August Bolle, who distinguished himself as the first of the laurel pigeon. The species is considered threatened. However, the stock has recovered somewhat in recent years. Much like the silver neck dove also Bolles Laurel Pigeon is derived from the wood pigeon. It was classified as a subspecies of the long silver neck dove. It is like in their habits of wood pigeons.
Appearance
Bolles Laurel Pigeon is 35-37 cm long and is mostly dark gray. This differs from the laurel pigeon, which is rather dark brown. The dark bands on the tail are another distinguishing sign of the laurel pigeon. From the silver neck dove, it differs in the color of the neck spots. While these are silvery gray with the silver neck dove, these are copper- brown and shiny at the Bolles laurel pigeon.
Distribution, habitat and population trends
Bolles Laurel Pigeon lives in laurel forests, which, however, are located higher than those who inhabited the bay pigeon. In Tenerife live just over 2,000 individuals. Is particularly high population density in Anaga and Teno. Also on La Palma come before 3,000 individuals. They are mainly observed in the northeast of the islands. On the island of La Gomera about 1,000 individuals living in the National Park Garajonay. Bolles laurel pigeon settled probably in historical times also Gran Canaria. She was once a very common type, but by the fall of the laurel forests greatly decreased in their inventory. Since the rate of deforestation has slowed this forest type and many laurel forests are under protection, the population of this species is beginning to recover again. 1980, the backlog at 1160-1315 individuals was estimated. In 2001, he was 6,000 individuals, and now it is assumed that a stock of 5,000 to 20,000 individuals.
Behavior
It breeds in trees and lays only one white egg. The nest is usually located at a height of seven meters above the ground. The breeding season occurs during the period of January to the end of September. Incubation period is 19 days.
Protection
The Canaries dove is protected under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.