The Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is also known as the New Zealand Pigeon or the New Zealand Wood Pigeon. A large, conspicuous pigeon that is endemic to NZ. It is up to 50 cm in length and between 550–850 g in weight, with a white breast and iridescent green–blue plumage. It's a magnificent bird to see. And thankfully it's also reasonably common in NZ.
This is a species that is expanding its population in NZ after a significant reduction in population. Given it's 'family meal' size I'm more than a little surprised that it survived the vagaries of first people arrival and later European colonisation - but thankfully it did!
The pairs of birds are monogamous, and where you find one bird you will often find another.
These pictures were taken at various location around North and South Island.
As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below. Cheers SM
pretty pigeons ....
ReplyDeletenever seen in the nature
Belles photos ! Ils ressemblent beaucoup à nos palombes, qui les malheureuses sont la cible des chasseurs depuis dimanche. Elles viennent dans ma campagne où là elles sont tranquilles ;) A + !
ReplyDeleteIt looks like pigeons
ReplyDeleteMore attractive than the pigeons we have here.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that the Kererū population is recovering! It's a beautiful and unique bird. These are lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThey are huge and colourful!
ReplyDeleteNice photos. These birds are more colorful than our pigeons.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that they are increases Stewart Lovely photographs. Thanks for posting and commenting. Have a good weekend
ReplyDeleteYou just keep fuelling my disappointment that I have not visited, nor likely ever will visit, New Zealand. What a splendid bird!
ReplyDelete