A Kereru in a plum tree
Today, while having our lunch, complaining about the wet cold weather we have had for the last couple of days, we were visited by a fat, happy, Kereru, [Wood Pigeon] who sat in our plum tree for about five minutes before leaving to continue his flight to where ever he was going.
He wasn’t shy, in fact I think he was watching to make sure I got his best side.
For those who have not had the chance to see one, the Kereru will grow to 510mm [20 inches] in length and weigh 650 grams [23 oz] in weight.
They have a very distinctive “Wooshing” sound when they fly, and perch with their white chest prominently raised.
Their place in Nature, is to eat and spread the larger native fruits [larger that 10mm in diameter] such as the Tareire, and the Cabbage Tree, thus spreading the seeds intact.
They nest in a flimsy nest constructed of a few twigs thrown together, and lay a single egg at a time.
There has been a total ban on hunting/shooting the Kereru since 1921 and the numbers are slowly rising despite the ravages of possums and rats.
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner
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How fantastic! I'd love to have a wood pigeon (or any other native bird) visit me. :)
it was great, we had juvenal last year, this years had a white chest compared to the dirty white one last year.
We have had a lot more rain this year which may have helpred.
Have you seen them swooping when doing mating shows? So funny!
As a pre-teenage kid, and that was so long ago.