New Zealand’s only endemic pigeon, the kereru, with its distinctive wingbeats, is a keystone species in New Zealand forests – crucial to the dispersal of many native plant seeds. Strictly vegetarian, they love to gorge on ripe fruit, but they will also strip plants of their leaves, buds and flowers.

The birds are widely distributed in forest habitats, but often seen in open country, and built-up areas, feeding on flowers and fruits. At times, they can be seen in large feeding flocks of 20-50 birds. Kereru have been known to breed in all months of the year, however generally breeding occurs from September to April when there is good food availability.

You can always have a kereru in your garden with a Blazen.Metal kereru bang’n bird – choose from traditional, koru or kowhai inlay. 25% off for the month of March.

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Bibliography

Dawson, J., & Lucas, R. (2000). Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest. Auckland: Random House.

Moon, G. (2002). A Photographic Guide to Birds of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland Publishers.

Powlesland, R.G. 2013. New Zealand pigeon. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online.www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz