Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Huysentruyt F., Baert K. & Casaer J. (2013) Onset of Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus breeding season in Flanders as based on gonadal development. ARDEA 101 (1): 45-48
To determine the start of the breeding season of Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus in Flanders, the gonads of 185 adult Woodpigeons were examined. Analysis of testis size showed that male Woodpigeons became sexually active in March. Follicle size analysis indicated that the first female Woodpigeons became sexually active from the end of February onwards. The observations however indicated an overall start of the breeding season on a population level by late March/early April.


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