Coordinator: Emma Bowyer-Warner

Habitat and Distribution: Widespread throughout forested areas of New Zealand.
Also seen in open country when feeding on broom flowers and clover.

Characteristics: Our only endemic species
of pigeon. Identified by large size, general greyish-green colour with pure white breast
with a pronounced whistling wingbeat.

Voice: A subdued 'goo' or 'ooh'.

Food: Eats a wide range of fruits, seeds, flowers and foliage of native and exotic plants. The New Zealand Pigeon is an important agent for dispersing seed from many plants, especially seeds from podocarp trees.

Breeding: Nesting extends from late August to March. The nest is a flimsy structure of small twigs loosely crossed. The single white egg is often visible from below. Incubation by both sexes takes 29-30 days. Clutch overlap may occur, when chick in first nest is attended while a second egg is incubated in a new nest.

Captive Program:
Program Outline

Associated Documents:
2003 Annual Report