The Chatham Islands pigeon (''Hemiphaga chathamensis''), also known as the Chatham pigeon or parea, is a bird

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

to the

Chatham Islands The Chatham Islands ( ; Moriori language, Moriori: , 'Misty Sun'; ) are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about east of New Zealand's South Island, administered as part of New Zealand, and consisting of about 10 islands within an approxima ...

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

. Growing to in weight and in length, the Chatham Islands pigeon is closely related to the

kererū The kererū (''Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae''), also known as kūkupa (Māori language#Northern dialects, northern Māori dialects), New Zealand pigeon or wood pigeon, is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin describ ...

or New Zealand pigeon (''Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae''), the only other species in the genus ''Hemiphaga''. While rated vulnerable by

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the status ...

, it is considered critically threatened in New Zealand. Recovering from a low of 40 birds in the 1980s, the Chatham Islands pigeon population is now over 600, and the species is ranked by the

as "Vulnerable", and by the

New Zealand Department of Conservation The Department of Conservation (DOC; Māori language, Māori: ''Te Papa Atawhai'') is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage. An advisory body, the New Zealand ...

as at 2017 as "Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable". The species is largely restricted to the southern forests of

Chatham Island Chatham Island ( ) ( Moriori: , 'Misty Sun'; ) is the largest island of the Chatham Islands group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is said to be "halfway between the equator and the pole, a ...

(particularly those around the Tuku River). A few have been seen elsewhere on Chatham Island and also further afield on Pitt and

South East Island Hokorereoro, Rangatira, or South East Island is the third largest island in the Chatham Islands archipelago, and covers an area of . It lies east of New Zealand's South Island off the south-east coast of Pitt Island, south-east of the main s ...

s.Barrie Heather and Hugh Robertson, ''"The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" (revised edition)'', Viking, 2005 They were common in the 1870s but

habitat destruction Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...

and predation by mammalian

invasive species An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native spec ...

reduced the population to only 40 birds by 1990. Since then, predator control and stock fencing in and around the Tuku valley have resulted in improved breeding success which has led to rapid population growth. 20180930 Chathams 153

Traditionally considered a

subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...

of the kererū, it was proposed in 2001 to be distinct enough to be raised to full

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

status. Because the Chatham Islands have been separated from the mainland of New Zealand for so long, the Chatham Islands pigeon has evolved differently from its mainland relative, the kererū. There are a number of differences between the two pigeons. The Chatham Islands pigeon is around 20% heavier than the kererū and has a heavier bill. Unlike the kererū, the Chatham Islands pigeon has an enlarged hind toe which helps it to scrabble about on the forest floor. The Chatham Islands pigeon generally nests from June to October, while the kererū nests from September to January. The Chatham Islands pigeon nests in bracken or fern near the ground while the kererū prefers to nest in a tree, out of harm's way. The Chatham Islands pigeon's egg is also much bigger. The Chatham Islands pigeon feeds on the fruits of the hoho ( ''Pseudopanax chathamicus''),

matipo ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

, mahoe and karamū tree, and the foliage of mahoe, hoho and

clover Clovers, also called trefoils, are plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with the highest diversit ...

. The succulent fruits of the hoho are especially sought after. They are at their best in August and September, which coincides with the peak of the Chatham pigeon's breeding season. The Chatham Islands pigeon is renowned for their spectacular flying dives, especially by the males, to attract a mate. Most breed at 1 to 2 years of age, laying just one egg. Chicks fledge at about 45 days old and become independent at 3 months. They have a life expectancy of up to 25 years.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q1263725 Birds of the Chatham Islands Hemiphaga Treroninae Birds described in 1891 Critically endangered animals

References

Further reading

External links