New Zealand Pigeon
New Zealand PigeonNew Zealand PigeonNew Zealand PigeonNew Zealand Pigeon

New Zealand Pigeon

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
30–40% · Possible
overall probability at Abel Tasman National Park
182 Verified records at Abel Tasman National Park
June Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), also known as kūkupa (northern Māori dialects), New Zealand pigeon or wood pigeon, is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin described the bird in 1789 as a large, conspicuous pigeon up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and 550–850 g (19–30 oz) in weight, with a white breast and iridescent green–blue plumage. Two subspecies have been recognised; the second—the Norfolk pigeon of Norfolk Island—became extinct in the early 20th century. Kererū pairs are monogamous, breeding over successive seasons and remaining together when not breeding. They construct nests with twigs in trees, with a single egg clutch. Found in a variety of habitats across the country, the kererū feeds mainly on fruits, as well as leaves, buds and flowers. Wikipedia →

30–40% of wildlife watchers report a New Zealand Pigeon sighting in Abel Tasman National Park, based on 182 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Abel Tasman National Park

African Collared Dove
LC

African Collared Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia roseogrisea

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

40–50
Jan
50–60
Feb
20–30
Mar
20–30
Apr
30–40
May
50–60
Jun
10–20
Jul
40–50
Aug
20–30
Sep
30–40
Oct
30–40
Nov
30–40
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Rakiura National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
60–70%
2 Tongariro National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
50–60%
3 Abel Tasman National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
30–40%
4 Fiordland National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
30–40%
5 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
20–30%
6 Arthur's Pass National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
10–20%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a New Zealand Pigeon in Abel Tasman National Park?

About 37% of wildlife watchers report a New Zealand Pigeon sighting in Abel Tasman National Park, based on 182 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see New Zealand Pigeon in Abel Tasman National Park?

June has the highest sighting rate for New Zealand Pigeon in Abel Tasman National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Abel Tasman National Park