New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) lives in native New Zealand forests across New Zealand. It feeds on leaves and fruits. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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A kererū's family life revolves around a single, white egg measuring 49 mm by 34 mm; both parents share incubation for 28-29 days in six-hour shifts, then brood the chick for 9-13 days before the female takes over. The chick gains weight rapidly in its first eight days, sprouts feathers by day 5-8, and leaves the nest after 30-45 days, allowing the pair to raise up to four broods a season when fruit is plentiful.
Citizen scientists have watched the kererū bounce back: sightings rose 79 % between 2010 and 2020, and the 2021 Great Kererū Count logged 24,562 birds in ten days, with Auckland alone contributing 28 % of those observations. This surge signals that suburban habitats are giving the once-declining pigeon a new lease on life.
For Māori, the kererū was once a staple: Walter Buller recorded at least 8,000 birds harvested from a single miro grove near Lake Taupō during July-August 1882, providing meat and prized feathers for cloaks and food containers. Today hunting is illegal, but the bird's feathers still adorn traditional kākahu, linking present-day culture to a historic relationship that shaped both diet and art.
At just under a foot long, the kererū stretches to 50 cm (20 in) and tips the scales at 550-850 g (19-30 oz), its wings span about 75 cm (30 in).
Kereru aren't shy travelers, most fieldwork showed them moving up to 25 km (16 mi) while hunting for fruit, and a 2011 tag study recorded three birds flying as far as 100 km (62 mi) across the Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island.
Sources
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In the lush, emerald forests of New Zealand, the native pigeon, also known as the kererū, glides effortlessly, its iridescent feathers glistening like polished jade as it navigates the canopy with a gentle whoosh of wings. With a quiet confidence, it moves through its realm, its soft cooing calls a soothing serenade to the forest, where it plays a vital role in dispersing seeds and sustaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. As it takes to the skies, its broad wings beat in a slow, rhythmic motion, a majestic sight that underscores the enduring beauty of this remarkable bird.
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