Rock dove

Short abstract from the book:
Rock dove is a common breeding resident in the Faroes with approximately 600 pairs. It breeds on the majority of islands, most on Nólsoy. Some hybridisation with domestic pigeons occurs, which makes the rock dove’s distribution uncertain. 278 rock doves have been ringed in the Faroes, most on Nólsoy (230). The first were ringed in 1935 (Nólsoy), and most have been ringed in 1984 (31), 1997 (26) and 2002 (24). They have been ringed throughout the year, with peaks in June (49) and October (42). Of sexed individuals (n=43), 35% were females and 65% were males. Of aged individuals (n=205), 2% were ringed as chicks, 30% as first-calendar year birds and 68% as older birds. 33 rock doves ringed in the Faroes have been recovered, none from abroad. Of the birds ringed on Nólsoy, 22 were recovered on Nólsoy, seven in Tórshavn 4 km to the W, one in Eiði, Eysturoy, 38 km to the N, and the most distant recovery is of a bird ringed on 13 October 1993 on Nólsoy and found dead 21 June 2001 in Viðareiði, Viðoy, 43 km to the N. Apparently there is some exchange between the different colonies. The oldest bird was ringed as an adult on 26 June 1999 on Nólsoy and controlled on 29 May 2007 on Nólsoy, corresponding to 7 years and 11 months. There are nine controls and 24 recovered dead. The most common known cause of death is getting caught in nets or fences (21%) and killed by domestic animals (4%).

Read more about the species in the chapter from The Faroese Bird Migration Atlas here