The critically endangered Chatham Island Pigeon or Parea is restricted to the Chatham Islands. Although similar in appearance to the New Zealand pigeon, it is around 20% heavier, making it one of the world's heaviest pigeons. Once numbering just 40 birds, the population has responded to conservation efforts and now stands at around 500.

The Chatham Island Pigeon or Parea - Hemiphaga chathamensis - is one of two species of endemic pigeon in New Zealand. They have a life expectancy of up to 25 years.

Description

A large pigeon, one of the heaviest in the world. The plumage and upper breast is purple and pearl-grey, with a white lower breast, shoulder straps and belly. The bill is red with an orange tip.

Call

Known for its friendly 'cheet cheet' call.

Food

It feeds on a wide range of leaves and fruit with hoho (Pseudopanax chathamicus) being particularly important. They spend considerable time on the ground grazing.

Breeding

Chatham Pigeon are renowned for their spectacular flying dives, especially by the males, to attract a mate. They nest from June to October in bracken or fern near the ground. One egg is laid. Chicks fledge at about 45 days old and become independent at 3 months.

Conservation Status – Critically Endangered

The major threats are habitat loss, feral cats, possums and rats.

A recent survey found that the population has increased to around 500 birds; from a population low of 40 in the late 1980s.The increase in the population has been attributed to forest protection and predator control.

Taiko Trust – Parea to Pitt Island translocation. This project aims to re-locate 20 Parea (Chatham Island Pigeon) from the Chatham Island’s mainland back onto Pitt Island. This offshore island has been stripped of some of its native forest through land development. Now, however it is possum-free and the land is covered in private reserves, allowing the re-establishment of a parea population. 

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