Kereru - photos
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
About Kereru
The Kereru or New Zealand Pigeon is the only pigeon endemic to New Zealand. Although it is commonly called a wood pigeon this is technically incorrect. The kereru plays an important role in the survival of some New Zealand trees. Because the pigeon can ingest large fruit from native trees, they are an important seed disperser for species including the miro, puriri, tairare , and tawa.
They are a large bird and can be heard easily when flying. They are also easily recognisable due to their size and colouration. The head and upper body is an iridescent green and bronze with crimson colouring on the outside of the wings. The tips of the wings and tail are black, while the underside of the bird below the neck and above the tail is distinctly white. Both the male and female look similar.
Author & photographer: David Johnson (Virtual New Zealand). Providing a credit or link is appreciated.
Our content: logos, site names, text, photos, and website design are protected by international copyright law.
Original versions of our photos can be purchased / licensed & web versions can be shared subject to conditions.