Here’s to the Kereru: New Zealand’s bird of the year is a ‘drunk and gluttonous’ pigeon
They have been known to fall from trees after consuming rotting fruit left lying on the ground, sometimes leading to them being taken to wildlife centres to sober up
A native green and bronze wood pigeon with a taste for fermented fruit has been named the 2019 bird of the year in New Zealand.
The Kereruūis endemic to the country and can be found in both the North and South islands, living in cities as well as rural areas. Although quiet and reclusive by nature, Kereru has earned a reputation as the drunkest bird in New Zealand, and have been known to fall from trees after consuming rotting fruit left lying on the ground. During the summer when fruit is in abundance drunk Kereru are sometimes taken to wildlife centres to sober up.
Described by conservation group Forest and Bird as “clumsy, drunk, gluttonous and glamorous”, the Kereru population is not endangered, but is vulnerable to attacks by predators such as feral cats and stoats, and also competes with possums for food.
Kereruūplay a vital role in dispersing the seeds of native New Zealand species such as karaka, miro, tawa and taraire across large areas, because they are one of the few birds large enough to swallow the fruit whole.
Only one in five of New Zealand’s native birds are increasing in number or stable
It was the clear leader in the poll, with 5,833 votes. The kakapo, or kākāp,ō came second with 3,772 and the Kakī or black stilt, an extremely rare bird that is raised by hand, coming third with 2,995 votes.