Gonadal cycles and the evolution of breeding seasons in British Columbidae

Abstract

The gonads of Wood‐pigeons in a Cambridgeshire study area attain peak reproductive condition in July and this condition persists until late September or early October when rapid regression takes place. Gametogenesis recommences in early March. In the same area the Stock‐dove has a similar cycle but gametogenesis begins about two months earlier and regression apparentlytakes place about one month later. A wild Rock‐dove population at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire has an even longer physiological breeding season, gametogenesis commencing from December. Seasonal regression occurs in October.

Urban Environment Use by Speckled (Columba Guinea) and Feral (Columba Livia) Pigeons on the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk Campus

“…This drop in breeding activity allows costly energy to be diverted for feather regrowth and plumage change (Murton, 1966;Johnston and Janiga, 1995). Lofts et al (1966) did however find that not all pigeons in a population go through this regression and do not therefore remain in a reproductive condition for continual breeding.…”

“…Shetty (1992) explain how pigeons are non-seasonal breeders. However, just because pigeons are physiologically capable of prolonged breeding, it does not necessarily mean that they do (Lofts et al, 1966). Murton et al (1972b) explain that not all pigeons in a population breed simultaneously, or even throughout the year -meaning that some pigeons breed erratically or not at all.…”

“…Breeding season fluctuations have been debated extensively over the years (Lofts et al, 1966;Shotter, 1978;Shetty, 1992;Hetmański, 2004;Rose et al, 2006). The objective was to determine whether breeding on the campus's buildings took place all year round or indeed fluctuated seasonally.…”

“…Feral and speckled pigeons have been observed to roost and forage together (Johnston, 1992a;Earle and Little, 1993;Little, 1994;Lofts et al, 1966). Horn (1967) suggests that this behaviour allows pigeons to be more vigilant of predators and improves learnt behaviours relating to foraging success, as individuals are able to follow experienced flock members to abundant and or guaranteed resources.…”

Histología del ovario y ciclo reproductivo de Columbina picui (Temminck, 1813) (Aves: Columbidae) en Córdoba, Argentina

“…La reproducción de las aves silvestres ha despertado el interés de muchos investigadores, entre otros, Kern (1972), Lofts et al (1966), Guraya (1976), Silverin et al (1986), Williams (1992), Mezquida (2001), empero los trabajos sobre las variaciones estructurales y cuantitativas del ovario durante el ciclo reproductivo de especies aviarias no son abundantes (Erpino 1973, Halse 1985, Gupta y Maití 1986, Guraya 1989a, Ribeiro et al 1991, 1995, Bulfon y Bee de Speroni 2001.…”