Trocaz Pigeon

The Trocaz Pigeon is endemic to the mountainous subtropical Atlantic main island of Madeira, although it formerly also bred on the neighbouring Porto Santo Island. It mainly occurs on the northern slopes of the mountains, but smaller numbers are found in the south where suitable patches of laurel forest remain.

Pigeons can breed from their first year, and nesting occurs throughout the year, although mainly from February to June. The nest is a typical pigeon construction, a flimsy structure of twigs and grasses usually placed high in a tree in thick forest. One, rarely two, smooth white eggs are laid, although no nest with two chicks has ever been found.

The young are able to fly in 28 days, and are independent within eight weeks.

It is estimated that there are about 10,000 of such species on the archipelago.

This species is protected under the European Union Birds Directive, and the laurel forests under the Habitats Directive.