Bolle's pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolle's pigeon |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Bolle's pigeon (Columba bollii) is a type of pigeon that lives only in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is named after Carl Bolle, a German scientist who first identified it. This pigeon makes its home in special forests called laurel forests.
Contents
What Bolle's Pigeons Look Like
Bolle's pigeons are quite large, about 36 to 38 centimeters (14-15 inches) long. They are mostly dark grey, not brown. Their dark grey tail with dark bands helps tell them apart from another pigeon in the Canary Islands, the laurel pigeon. They have a pinkish chest and no white markings, making them look darker than other pigeons.
Their beak is red, especially at the tip. Males have a bluish or greenish shine on the sides and back of their neck. Their eyes are round and yellow to orange, with a black center. The back, rump, and wings are brownish-grey. The chest is dark blue-grey, sometimes with a purple tint in males. Females are usually less colorful and do not have the same shiny feathers as males.
Bolle's pigeons can sometimes be confused with the white-tailed laurel pigeon or dark feral pigeons. Their call is a deep, sad cooing sound. They fly quickly, flapping their wings steadily. When they take off, you can hear a loud clattering sound.
Where Bolle's Pigeons Live and What They Eat
Bolle's pigeons live in dense laurel forests in mountainous areas. They especially like deep valleys. They also live in areas with heath plants like Myrica faya and Erica arborea. During the hottest part of the day, they rest in deep shade.
These pigeons mainly eat fruit, especially berries from trees like Canary bay, Madeira mahogany, and Ocotea foetens. They also eat nuts and other berries. Sometimes, they will eat grains, buds, leaves, and shoots. They gather in large groups on trees that have lots of fruit. They also look for food on the ground. They might move to lower areas in late summer to find ripe grains and fruit.
Family Life
Bolle's pigeons usually build their nests in trees between February and June. Their nest is made of sticks and twigs, forming a platform. They often line it with mosses and lichens. The female usually lays one or two white eggs. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs for about eighteen days until they hatch.
How Many Bolle's Pigeons There Are
Bolle's pigeons live on several of the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. They used to be common but disappeared from many areas. This happened because people cut down the laurel forests.
In recent years, less laurel forest has been cut down. This has helped the pigeon population. In 1980, there were about 1,160 to 1,315 birds. By 2001, the number grew to 6,000. More recently, estimates suggest there are between 5,000 and 20,000 individuals. It seems their numbers are stable or even growing.
Challenges Bolle's Pigeons Face
In the past, the biggest problem for Bolle's pigeons was the loss of their laurel forest homes. People cut down these forests for wood and to create farmland. While forest loss has slowed, some areas are still being used for wood.
Some illegal hunting still happens, especially near water sources. Also, black rats, which were brought to the islands, can eat the eggs and young birds. This is a potential threat. Sheep grazing can also damage their habitat. Forest fires are another danger to their homes. Sometimes, human activities can disturb them during their breeding season.
The good news is that if livestock are kept out of the native forests, the forests can grow back. This creates more suitable homes for the pigeons. Bolle's pigeon is now listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List. This means they are not currently in danger of extinction, which is an improvement from their "Threatened" status in 1988. This species and its laurel forest habitat are protected by laws in the European Union.
About Their Family Tree
The Columba group is the largest family of pigeons. Its members are usually pale grey or brown. Bolle's pigeon is related to the common wood pigeon and the Trocaz pigeon.
Scientists believe that the ancestors of Bolle's pigeon arrived in the Canary Islands about 5 million years ago. The Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira are volcanic islands that were never connected to a continent. Over time, pigeons that arrived on these islands changed and became new species, like the Bolle's pigeon.
See also
In Spanish: Paloma turqué para niños
