Gallery
‘Intimate - Kereru’
Painting description
Close-up of a Kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) looking over its shoulder.
About the bird
New Zealand's native pigeon, the Kereru, occurs throughout the mainland and some off-shore islands. As the only large seed-eating bird left it plays a vital role in regenerating New Zealand's forests.
Artist's statement
‘In spring these heavy birds were often found bending top branches of trees in the neighbour’s garden as they fed on young shoots. When the pohutakawa in our own garden flowered they were often found perched contend and plump amidst the pink blooms.’