Introduction
Bolle’s Pigeon (Columba bollii), also known as Bolle’s Laurel Pigeon, is a large pigeon endemic to the Canary Islands. It is closely associated with the archipelago’s humid laurel forests, or laurisilva, and occurs naturally on Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
Physical Description
Bolle’s Pigeon is a robust, medium-sized pigeon measuring approximately 37–40 cm in length. The sexes are alike in appearance. Adults have mainly slate-grey plumage, darker wings and a wine-coloured breast. The neck shows greenish and pinkish iridescence, which is most noticeable in good light. The eyes are orange-red, and the legs and feet are pinkish.
The long tail is an important identification feature. It has a pale subterminal band and a darker terminal edge. Young birds are duller brownish-grey and lack the strong iridescent sheen of adults, particularly on the neck.
Range and Habitat
Bolle’s Pigeon is endemic to the western Canary Islands, Spain. Its confirmed range includes Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. It is principally a resident species, although individuals may make local movements between forested areas and nearby feeding sites.
The species is strongly associated with mature laurel forest and other humid monteverde habitats, including wooded ravines and forest edges. Important food trees include the Canary laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), til (Ocotea foetens), viñátigo (Persea indica) and acebiño (Ilex canariensis). It may also use adjacent woodland and cultivated areas when fruit is available.
Where to See This Species
Garajonay National Park, La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain
Garajonay protects one of the best-preserved areas of Canarian laurel forest and is one of the most reliable places to look for Bolle’s Pigeon. The species is widely distributed through suitable forest in the park, especially where laurels, fayas and acebiños provide fruit. Look and listen along quiet forest tracks, viewpoints and wooded ravines, particularly during periods of feeding activity.
Nearby accommodation: San Sebastián de La Gomera and villages around the park, including Vallehermoso and Hermigua, offer hotels, guest houses, rural houses and self-catering accommodation.
Anaga Rural Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Anaga Rural Park contains extensive laurel-forest habitat and is a documented locality for Bolle’s Pigeon. The species is recorded in the park and in other suitable monteverde areas of north-eastern Tenerife. Forest trails and sheltered ravines around the Anaga massif are the most appropriate places to search, although the birds can remain high in the canopy and may be easier to detect by their calls or fast flight.
Nearby accommodation: Taganana and other villages in Anaga provide rural accommodation, while San Cristóbal de La Laguna offers a wider choice of hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation.
Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
Bolle’s Pigeon is included in official fauna inventories for Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The species is most likely to be encountered in wooded ravines and humid forest remnants rather than in the park’s more open high-elevation pine landscapes. Search quietly in areas with dense tree cover and fruiting native vegetation, especially around sheltered valleys and forest margins.
Nearby accommodation: El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane and Santa Cruz de La Palma are practical bases with hotels, guest houses, rural houses and self-catering accommodation.
Behaviour and Diet
Bolle’s Pigeon is mainly active during the day and is generally shy, spending much of its time in the upper canopy. It may sit quietly among foliage, where its dark plumage provides effective camouflage, but its rapid, powerful flight can reveal it when it moves between forest patches.
The diet consists mainly of native fruits and berries, including fruit from laurel-forest trees such as laurels, til, viñátigo and acebiño. By swallowing and later dispersing seeds, the species contributes to the regeneration and ecological functioning of the laurel forest.
The species is not considered migratory, although local and seasonal movements may occur in response to food availability. It builds a simple stick nest in a tree, often several metres above the ground, and normally lays a single egg. Both adults participate in incubation and care of the young.
Identification Tips
- Look for a large, dark slate-grey pigeon with a robust body and relatively short, rounded wings.
- Check the neck for green and pink iridescence and the breast for a muted wine colour.
- In flight, note the pale subterminal tail band bordered by a darker terminal edge.
- The species is usually found in humid laurel forest, wooded ravines and nearby monteverde habitat rather than in open country.
- Laurel Pigeon (Columba junoniae) is the most relevant comparison. Bolle’s Pigeon is generally darker and has a pale subterminal tail band, whereas Laurel Pigeon has a conspicuous pale band at the end of the tail. Care is needed because both species may occur in the same forest.
Conservation Status
Bolle’s Pigeon is currently assessed as Least Concern globally on the IUCN Red List. In Spain and the Canary Islands, it receives additional legal protection and is treated more cautiously in regional conservation assessments.
The principal conservation concern is the continued protection of mature laurel forest and connected monteverde habitat. Historical habitat destruction and hunting reduced the species’ security in parts of its range. Current conservation measures include protection of forest within national parks and other reserves, restoration of native woodland, monitoring of the two endemic laurel-forest pigeons and control of pressures such as habitat fragmentation and introduced species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Bolle’s Pigeon live?
It is endemic to the Canary Islands and occurs on Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Its main habitat is humid laurel forest and related monteverde woodland.
Is Bolle’s Pigeon endangered?
The species is currently classified as Least Concern globally. It remains dependent on protected native forest, so habitat conservation and monitoring are still important.
What does Bolle’s Pigeon eat?
It feeds mainly on fruits and berries from native laurel-forest trees, including laurel, til, viñátigo and acebiño.
How can Bolle’s Pigeon be distinguished from Laurel Pigeon?
Bolle’s Pigeon is usually darker and has a pale subterminal band on the tail with a darker terminal edge. Laurel Pigeon has a more obvious pale band at the end of the tail.
Does Bolle’s Pigeon migrate?
It is regarded as a resident species rather than a migrant. Individuals may make local movements between forest areas and nearby feeding sites.
Where is the best place to see Bolle’s Pigeon?
Garajonay National Park on La Gomera is among the strongest locations because it protects extensive, mature laurel forest where the species is widely distributed. Anaga Rural Park on Tenerife and Caldera de Taburiente National Park on La Palma are also documented localities.
References
- BirdLife International
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Spanish Inventory of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
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