PAREA

The 'Parea' (Moriori) or 'Chatham Island Pigeon' (''Hemiphaga chathamensis'') is a bird endemic to the Chatham Islands. Growing to 800g in weight and 55 cm in length, Parea are larger than Kererū and also have a heavier bill. It is an endangered species, with a population of around 150 birds largely restricted to the southern forests of Chatham Island/Rekohu ( particularly those around the Tuku river ). A few have been seen elsewhere on Chatham island and also further afield on Pitt and South East islands^[1]. They were common in the 1870's but as a result of habitat destruction and the predation of mammalian invasive species the population was reduced to 40 by 1990. Since then, predator control and stock fencing in and around the Tuku valley have resulted in improved breeding success which has led to rapid population growth^[1]. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Kererū or New Zealand Pigeon ''(Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)'', it was discovered in 2001 to be distinct enough to be raised to full species status.^[3]

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References

1. Barrie Heather and Hugh Robertson, ''"The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" (revised edition)'', Viking, 2005
2. Barrie Heather and Hugh Robertson, ''"The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" (revised edition)'', Viking, 2005
3. Millener, P. R., and R. G. Powlesland. (2001). The Chatham Island pigeon (Parea) deserves full species status; ''Hemiphaga chathamensis'' (Rothschild 1891); Aves: Columbidae. ''Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand'' '31':365-383.

External links

★ DOC Parea recovery plan