Kereru ( Wood Pigeon)

Blip[ mate and I went out on our usual Saturday morning Blip outing - a bit hampered by me needing to avoid walking far. We photographed odds and ends of interest, then on the way back to the car Blip mate spotted two Kereru sitting on an overhead wire. They had their backs to us so we struggled through long wet grass until we were able to see them from the front. By that time, another one had joined them.

Kereru are fully protected and wide spread though out the country. After eating, they are often so full that they find it difficult to fly. They have a very important role in the NZ forest as seed dispersers as they are the only bird able to swallow many of the large fruits.

To me, they always look like they are wearing a white apron.

There is a very plumped up and full kereru in the extras.