Bird · GBIF taxon 2495905
New Zealand Pigeon
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiaeAlso known as Kererū, New Zealand Wood Pigeon
The New Zealand Pigeon is a large forest pigeon with an iridescent green-bronze back, bright white breast, and loud wingbeats. By swallowing large native fruits whole and carrying their seeds, it remains a crucial disperser for many New Zealand trees.
seed disperseriridescent pigeonloud wingbeats
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Native fruits, leaves, buds, and flowers, with food choices changing through the seasons
Predators
- stoats
- rats
- feral cats
ThreatsIntroduced mammal predators, forest loss, vehicle and window collisions, illegal hunting, and reduced native food trees
HabitatsNative lowland forest, podocarp woodland, forest edges, farmland trees, parks, and mature gardens
Life spanCan live for more than 20 years when protected from predators and collision hazards
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColumbidae
- SpeciesHemiphaga novaeseelandiae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Approaching nests or feeding birds can disrupt natural behavior and expose them to predators or collision hazards.
Responsible observation
- Listen: Use the deep wing whoosh to locate a bird moving between canopy trees.
- Support: Keep cats controlled and retain mature native food trees without crowding feeding birds.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.