T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

New Zealand Wood Pigeon

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genera: Hemiphaga
Species: novaeseelandiae
Sub Species: novaeseelandiae,
Origin: Native
Scientific name: Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
Common Names: New Zealand wood pigeon, Kereru, kukupa,

It is the largest pigeon in NZ.51 cm, 650 g (mainland); 55 cm, 800 g (Chathams).Its head, throat, upper breast and upperparts metallic green with purplish sheen and bronze reflections, especially around neck (mainland), or with ashy-grey wash (Chathams); sharp line separates upper breast from white lower breast, belly and legs. Eye crimson; bill red with orangish tip; feet crimson. Juvenile similar, but upperparts duller, smudgy upper breast, dull bill and feet, and often the tail is shorter. In flight, strong steady wingbeats, broad rounded wings and long broad tail; noisy swish of wings is distinctive. Call a single soft penetrating 'kuu'.
Habitat is native forests, especially in lowland areas, scrub, forest patches among farmland, rural and city gardens and parks. Its breeding is variable, depending on availability of ripe fruit; usually Oct-Apr. The above in information is from http://www.whatbird.co.nz
Early Maori use capture and eat this birs but only during the months of May and June to reserve stocks.

Native species known to be eaten by Kererü