azwhales
Columba livia atlantis | Rock dove
The rock dove (or
rock pigeon) is a sub-species of the domestic pigeon and is most probably derived
from feral pigeons. This subspecies is found throughout Macaronesia (the Azores as well
as Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape
Verde). Their typical plumage is like that of other subspecies: grey with black
stripes on the wings, black wingtips, and a glossy green and purple chest and neck.
However, in this subspecies there is more colour variation, such as a checkered dorsal plumage. The beak
is small, think and black with some white at the base. Rock doves are most
abundant in coastal areas with cliffs. In the Azores the largest populations
can be found on the islands of São Jorge, Terceira and Flores. Nesting occurs
between March and July. This species is classified as “common breeding” in the Azores.
Length: 31 – 34 cm
Weight: 238 – 380 g
Wingspan: 63 – 70 cm
rock pigeon) is a sub-species of the domestic pigeon and is most probably derived
from feral pigeons. This subspecies is found throughout Macaronesia (the Azores as well
as Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape
Verde). Their typical plumage is like that of other subspecies: grey with black
stripes on the wings, black wingtips, and a glossy green and purple chest and neck.
However, in this subspecies there is more colour variation, such as a checkered dorsal plumage. The beak
is small, think and black with some white at the base. Rock doves are most
abundant in coastal areas with cliffs. In the Azores the largest populations
can be found on the islands of São Jorge, Terceira and Flores. Nesting occurs
between March and July. This species is classified as “common breeding” in the Azores.
Length: 31 – 34 cm
Weight: 238 – 380 g
Wingspan: 63 – 70 cm
Population: 17,000,000 – 28,000,000
Longevity: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans and insects
Eggs: 2
Incubation: 17 – 19 days
Nesting sites: Cliffs in forest areas
Fledging: 30 days
In other languages:
Portuguese: Pomba das rochas
Spanish: Palomba bravía
French: Pigeon biset
Italian: Piccione selvatico
German: Felsentaube
Dutch: Rotsduif
Swedish: Klippduva
Norwegian: Klippedue
Danish: Klippedue
Finnish: Kalliokyyhky
azwhales
Futurismo Biologists Team
Sandrina Rodrigues
