- Parea
Taxobox
name = Parea
status = NR
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Columbiformes
familia = Columbidae
genus = "Hemiphaga "
species = "H. chathamensis"
binomial = "Hemiphaga chathamensis"
binomial_authority = (Rothschild, 1891)
synonyms ="Hemiphaga novaseelandiae chathamensis"The Parea (Moriori) or Chatham Island Pigeon ("Hemiphaga chathamensis") is a
bird endemic to theChatham Islands inNew Zealand . Growing to 800g in weight and 55 cm in length, Parea are larger thanKererū or New Zealand Pigeon ("Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae"), and also have a heavier bill.While not rated by
IUCN (where considered a subspecies of the Kererū), it is a threatened species, with a population of around 150 birds largely restricted to the southern forests ofChatham 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 islandsBarrie Heather and Hugh Robertson, "The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" (revised edition)", Viking, 2005] . They were common in the 1870s but because of habitat destruction and the predation of mammalianinvasive 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 growthBarrie Heather and Hugh Robertson, "The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" (revised edition)", Viking, 2005] .Traditionally considered a
subspecies of the Kererū, it was proposed in 2001 to be distinct enough to be raised to fullspecies status. [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.] Few authorities outside New Zealand have followed this, with most still considering it a subspecies. [Clements, J. (2007). "The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World." Edition 6. Christopher Helm. ISBN 9780713686951] [Dickinson, E. (2003). "The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World." Edition 3. Christopher Helm. ISBN 0713665362]References
External links
*cite web | url = http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSRP39.pdf | title = Parea recovery plan 2001-2011| year = 2001| publisher = Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-09-19
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