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Kereru

Kereru

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

The New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is the largest of the bush-dwelling birds constantly present in the Mangemangeroa Reserve. Imposing in appearance and magnificently plumed in rich colours and white, it may go unnoticed while roosting quietly in the shade, though a subdued 'coo' at intervals can give a clue to its presence. More often it is located by the sound of wing-beats and crashing through foliage while feeding.
Its trusting nature, which persists in spite of centuries of hunting by humans, will allow a cautious observer to come quite near. Otherwise the best viewing of the kereru is in flight, which can be either swift and direct from one bush block to another, or as a spectacular aerobatic display of looping and diving above the bush, especially during the nesting season.
Not a perfect parent, the hen bird lays only one egg on a flimsily built stick platform. Once hatched, the chick is often exposed to predation by harrier hawks as well as the ever-active predatory mammals. Perseverence, however, can pay off, and our pigeon's ability to continue nesting efforts from spring right through to early winter has so far ensured its survival. This is only possible where a bush block is large and thriving enough to supply fruits and young leaf shoots over an extended season. At Mangemangeroa the species providing these include taraire, karaka, puriri, tawa, totara, and a range of shrubs, and kereru repays the favour by dispersing their seeds. Kereru is often incorrectly referred to as a woodpigeon. The woodpigeon, however, is a European bird, only distantly related. In New Zealand that name should be left behind where it belongs, in the colonial era. By G Falla