Family Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Least Concern
Madeira Laurel-pigeon (Columba trocaz)
Taxonomy
French: Pigeon trocaz German: Silberhalstaube Spanish: Paloma de Madeira
Other common names:
Trocaz Pigeon
Taxonomy:
Columba Trocaz
Heineken
, 1829,Madeira
.Distribution:
Madeira; formerly also on neighbouring island of Porto Santo#R.
Descriptive notes
38–40 cm; 500 g. Differs from closely related C. palumbus in its darker slate colour; neck patches silvery grey, meeting at back of neck; throat and upper neck... read more
Voice
Advertising call a very faint and low-pitched, gruff-sounding rhythmic phrase, which is quite... read more
Habitat
High forest zone, which is often covered in clouds; tall laurel trees (Laurus) and dense... read more
Food and feeding
Feeds mainly on fruit, but also takes leaves and grain; much of diet consists of fruit of bay (Laurus azorica), til (Ocotea... read more
Breeding
Nests all year round, but mainly Feb–Jun. Most nests are placed in crevices and caves in inaccessible cliffs; occasionally in heather... read more
Movements
Sedentary; may move from cliffs to lowlands to feed, especially in autumn.
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Conservation Dependent. Numbers have declined over the last century but now appear more or less stable at estimated 5700–6700... read more
Closely related to C. bollii with which it is sometimes considered conspecific, but differs in larger size, with very much larger feet (judged at 3); silver-grey-and-blackish display feathering on neck-sides and hindcollar vs green patch on neck-side (3); much narrower breast-band (2); silver outer edges to primaries (1); paler overall coloration ([ns]1); and also vocal differences. Also related to C. palumbus, C. unicincta and probably C. junoniae. “Columba laurivora” is an objective junior synonym, originally proposed on basis that “trocaz” was not a Latin word#R. Monotypic.