WOOD PIGEON.

Kererū are large birds and can measure up to 51 cm from tail to beak, and weigh about 650 g. Parea are around 20% heavier.

Two other kinds of native pigeon became extinct on Raoul Island and Norfolk Island last century, probably due to hunting and predation.

Long-lived birds, they breed slowly. Key breeding signals are spectacular display flights performed mainly by territorial males. They nest mainly in spring/early summer producing only one egg per nest, which the parents take turns to look after during the 28-day incubation period.

Although the kererū was traditionally hunted for its meat and feathers, hunting of the bird is now illegal.

The decline has been offset due to recovery on predator-free offshore islands, or from large-scale recovery at sites with widespread pest control.