Derivation
Hemiphaga - Gk, hemi, half; and the final syllable of Carophaga, fruit pigeon: nov'-ae-see-land'-i-ae - N.L., of New Zealand
Habitat
Dense mixed podocarp-broadleaf forests usually with a complex structure, including a dense canopy with tall emergent trees and a well-developed shrub layer. Also large tracts and remnant patches of forest.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Loss of habitat through burning and clearance for farmland, predation by introduced mammals inclusing Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), Black Rat (Rattus rattus), Stoat (Mustela erminea) and cats, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Singly or in pairs.
Food
Native fruits, but also leaves, young shoots, flowers and buds.
Voice
Mostly silent. A single, soft, but sometimes penetrating 'coo'.
New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) [XC404854]
by James Lidster from Karangarua, Westland District, West Coast, New Zealand (song)
New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) [XC378290]
by Dan Lane from Blumine Island, Marlborough District, Marlborough, New Zealand (call)
Nest
Frail platform composed of twigs with a shallow cavity, unlined, in trees, low and dense shrubs, hedges, sometimes in small trees overhanging cliffs, from 4 - 9 meters above the ground.
Eggs (Guide)
1; smooth, white; oval; 49 x 34 mm. Incubation: 28 - 30 days; by both sexes.
Young
Fledge in 36 - 45 days.
Subspecies
A distinctive genus of uncertain affinities, perhaps allied with Lopholaimus which also has only 12 tail feathers, and cere feathered dorsally; more distantly allied with Ducula. Recent work suggests that the three subspecies may more appropriately be considered separate species. Subspecies spadicea of Norfolk I extinct.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
novaeseelandiae (Gmelin, JF, 1789) - New Zealand, including larger offshore islands.
chatamensis (Rothschild, 1891) - Chatham Island. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Chatham Pigeon (Hemiphaga chathamensis).
spadicea! (Latham, 1801) - Norfolk Island. Extinct. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Norfolk Island Pigeon (Hemiphaga spadicea).
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
BirdLife International Species Factsheet