File:New_Zealand_pigeon_(Hemiphaga_novaeseelandiae)_Waitakere.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
kererū
Sign in to saveAlso known as Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae, wood pigeon, kereru, kūkupa, kūkū, kererū pigeon, New Zealand Pigeon
The kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), also known as kūkupa (northern Māori dialects), New Zealand pigeon or wood pigeon, is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin described the bird in 1789 as a large, conspicuous pigeon up to in length and in weight, with a white breast and iridescent green–blue plumage. Two subspecies have been recognised; the second—the Norfolk pigeon of Norfolk Island—became extinct in the early 20th century. Kererū pairs are monogamous, breeding over successive seasons and remaining together when not breeding. They construct nests with twigs
Species
Least Concernvia IUCN
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 26.1
- Image
- Kereru profile.jpg
Show 8 more facts
- taxon name
- Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
- Commons category
- Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
- Commons gallery
- Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
- wingspan
- 75
- egg incubation period
- 29
- litter size
- 1
- taxon common name
- pombo-neozelandês
- short name
- H. novaeseelandiae
Sources (6)
via Wikidata · CC0
~21 min read
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy and nomenclature
- History and binomials
- Subspecies
- Classification
- Common names
- Description
- Environment and distribution
- Feeding
- Breeding and lifespan
- Conservation
- The Great Kererū Count
- Relationship with humans
- In Māori culture
- In archaeological sites
- Harvesting
- Recognition
- See also
- References
- External links
The kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), also known as kūkupa (northern Māori dialects), New Zealand pigeon or wood pigeon, is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin described the bird in 1789 as a large, conspicuous pigeon up to in length and in weight, with a white breast and iridescent green–blue plumage. Two subspecies have been recognised; the second—the Norfolk pigeon of Norfolk Island—became extinct in the early 20th century. Kererū pairs are monogamous, breeding over successive seasons and remaining together when not breeding. They construct nests with twigs in trees, with a single egg clutch.
Found in a variety of habitats across the country, the kererū feeds mainly on fruits, as well as leaves, buds and flowers. Although widespread in both forest and urban habitats, its numbers have declined significantly since European colonisation and the arrival of invasive mammals such as rats, stoats and possums. However, the results of nationwide bird surveys indicate that there has been a significant recovery in the population in suburban areas. As of 2022, the IUCN Red List classifies the species as least concern, while the Department of Conservation (DOC) classifies the kererū as "not threatened" but conservation dependent.