New Zealand Pigeons

Hemiphaga is a genus of large pigeons from New Zealand and Norfolk Island. There are two species, one of which is divided into two subspecies.

Hemiphaga novaseelandiae consists of the kererū or New Zealand pigeon (H. n. novaseelandiae) of the main New Zealand archipelago, and the Norfolk pigeon (H. n. spadicea) of Norfolk Island (a territory of Australia), which became extinct in the early 20th century. The subspecies differed in their plumage colour and shape.

The other species is the Chatham Islands pigeon (Hemiphaga chathamensis) of the Chatham Islands, 650 km from the main New Zealand archipelago. Previously considered a subspecies (H. n. chathamensis) of the kererū, it was proposed in 2001 that it was distinct enough to be raised to full species status, and this has been accepted by most authorities.