Wood Pigeon - Waiheke

Seen all over Waiheke Island particularly in the bush or on the Puriri tree. This is a big pigeon growing over 40 cm in length. They were a valuable food source for the Maori people of New Zealand. A very heavy bird whose wing tips will almost meet as it bursts into flight, creating a lot of wing noise. This bird carries many plant and tree seeds helping to regenerate the native bush. Breeding is all year having a single white egg. Incubation by both parents takes 29 to 30 days.

Official Waiheke Website

photo courtesy - www.haurakigalleries.com