COUNTING ON US: Kiwis are being asked to count kereru - the large and lovely native pigeon that takes the name kukupa in Northland. PHOTO/FILE
Anyone seeing kukupa from now until October 5 are asked to log on the Great Kereru Count website at www.kererucount.org.nz to report the whereabouts and what the bird was doing.
If people look out especially for kukupa (kereru) for more than five minutes and don't see any, they are asked
to report this, too. Good places to look are gardens, parks, farms and forest areas.
The native New Zealand pigeon plays a crucial role in spreading the seeds of native plants, says the Great Kereru Count event organiser and Kiwi Conservation Club manager Tiff Stewart.
"They are the only bird that can swallow large berries from trees like tawa, puriri, miro and karaka so they play a key role in regenerating our broadleaf forests," Ms Stewart said.
"We're hoping thousands of New Zealanders will get involved to help build a detailed picture of kereru distribution across the country.
