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Kereru


Kereru
Photo Information
Copyright: jim stevens (jimbob) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 118] (409)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-10-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm DX
Exposure: f/8, 1/180 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-16 19:04
Viewed: 1158
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kereru
The New Zealand Native Wood Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) or Kereru is a large bird at 18 inches (51 cm), It is the largest bird in New Zealand. This bird is purplish green above and white below. The bill is red with an orange tip, and the eyes and feet are also red. The call is a soft "ku."
The favored food of this bird is berries: miro, pigeonwood, puriri, taraire and tawa as well as coprosma, elder, hangehange, kahikatea, karaka, nikau and titoki. It also eats leaves, buds and flowers. The Kereru is one of the main seed dispersers in the area.

The breeding season is from September to February. During this time the birds exhibit spectacular aerial displays. The nest is built of sticks in the fork of a tree. Only one egg is laid. The incubation period is about 30 days. The young fledges at from 30 to 45 days.

The chick (called a squab) feeds on "pigeon milk" for the first week and then later is given regurgitated berries. Fledglings become fully independent about one week after fledging.

This bird is endangered. Causes include habitat loss, predation, competition and illegal hunting. Pedators include rats, stoats, possums, cats and man.
Thanks to www.aviary.owls.com
Mazer, pauljk, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Mazer Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 65 W: 3 N: 34] (104)
  • [2006-10-16 20:07]

Nice capture Jim, only thing with the image is the washedout BG due to the day we were there, if there was more greenry behind it'd be a very good image indeed. Good details and they are well exposed showing natural colours as seen in the wild, well done :)

thanks for this informative note, the sky is a little burnt, but other than that a great pic. Ori

Hi Jim,
Great capture, it's just a pity about that sky as Jason points out. If we had blue sky this would be a killer shot. You've exposed well for the pigeons though and the two of them sitting there side by side would be a hard one to catch again.
Cheers
Paul

Hi Jim

You guys had a great day out by all accounts. This is a lovely shot. Lucky you! Two of these beautiful birds close together on one branch. Looks like the conditions on the day were less that favourable. Grey sky! Good camera work. TFS.

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