Hemiphaga
Encyclopedia
Hemiphaga is the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 containing two large species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of pigeons from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. The two are traditionally considered conspecific, but in 2001 it was proposed that chathamensis should be considered a separate species instead of a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...

 of H. novaeseelandiae. It is here listed as a species, although few authorities outside New Zealand have followed this.

Species

  • New Zealand Pigeon or Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae).
  • Chatham Pigeon or Parea (Hemiphaga chathamensis).
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