Laurel pigeon
| Laurel pigeon | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | C. junoniae |
| Binomial name | |
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Columba junoniae Hartert, 1916 |
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The laurel pigeon or white-tailed laurel pigeon (Paloma rabiche) (Columba junoniae) is a species of bird in the Columba genus in the family Columbidae. It is a member of the family Columbidae of doves and pigeons, which is endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain. This wood pigeon is endemic to the laurel forest habitat. It is the animal symbol of the island of La Gomera.
It is a pigeon which is endemic to some Canary islands. Its close relative and probable ancestor is the common wood pigeon. Despite its bulky, long-tailed appearance, this pigeon has a fast, direct flight.
The major cause of its population decline is habitat loss from forest clearance, but hunting and nest predation by introduced species and rats were also contributory factors. Protection of the laurel forests and an effective ban on hunting could enabled numbers to increase, although this species is still declining and endangered.
The laurel pigeon is a rather plain, dark grey bird of 38 cm. 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.
A rare resident breeder in the mountain laurisilva and Canary pine forests, the laurel pigeon builds a stick nest in a tree. There it lays one white egg.
At 40–43 cm, a laurel pigeon looks like a very dark wood pigeon. It is a basically dark brown bird, with a dark pink breast. The lack of any white markings, together with its darker markings, distinguish it from the other species.
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Wikipedia