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Name || Kereru, New Zealand Pigeon, Kukupa |
Scientific Name || Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae |
Conservation Status || Fully protected |
Habitat || Forest areas throughout New Zealand |
Unique Features ||
Since the extinction of the moa, the native pigeon is now the only seed disperser with a bill big enough to wrap around and swallow large berries, such as karaka, tawa and taraire. Therefore many of these plant species depend on the kereru for their continuing survival.
The low-flying beat of its wings is a distinctive sound in our forests.
Social Behaviour ||
The kereru is solitary, although it will sometimes flock around a food source. It pairs up with a mate for breeding. Some will defend a territory and can be quite aggressive towards other kereru, fighting in the air by beating the other bird with their strong wings.
Diet ||
Kereru eat fruit, flowers and vegetation.
Reproduction ||
Breeding appears to be related to the availability of fruit, so may not take in place every year. Breeding starts in December, and birds may fly up to 40km to a breeding area. Both male and female take care of the one pure white egg, both before and after it hatches.
Life Cycle ||
Kereru can live up to 15 years in captivity. On offshore islands, predation and competition by introduced animals can reduce the life span to five-six years. On the mainland this can be further reduced to 3 years with the three additional pressure of illegal hunting.
Relatives ||
There are two sub-species of native pigeon, the kereru and the Chatham Island pigeon or parea. The parea is found on the Chatham Islands. While there are only about 200 parea left, the birds have been making a remarkable recovery over the past few seasons, mainly due to predator control. Two other kinds of native pigeon became extinct on Raoul Island and Norfolk Island last century, probably due to hunting and predation.
Interesting Facts :
- Kereru are large birds and can measure up to 51 cm from tail to beak.
- In the first week after hatching, the fluffy chick is fed "pigeon milk", a protein-rich milky secretion from the walls of the parentsâ crops, mixed with fruit pulp. A week later the chick is ready for regurgitated berries.
- In Northland the Kereru is called the Kukupa.
Breeding Programme ||
Wellington Zoo is not currently involved in a kereru breeding programme.
Environmental Conditions ||
Although still quite widespread in areas with large tracts of forest, Kereru numbers are declining rapidly through habitat loss, predation (mainly from stoats and feral cats, but is also a main food source for our native falcon), competition (for food from possums) and illegal hunting (which DoC is trying to stop).
At Wellington Zoo ||
We have a male and a female kereru who will shortly live in the tropical rivertrail.
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:: Kereru (Photo: Matt Wong)
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