| Hemiphaga | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Subfamily: | Ptilinopinae |
| Genus: | Hemiphaga Bonaparte, 1854 |
| Type species | |
| Columba novaeseelandiae Gmelin, 1789
| |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Hemiphaga is the genus containing two species of large pigeons from New Zealand.
There are two subspecies of New Zealand pigeon, Hemiphaga novaseelandiae: H. n. novaseelandiae of mainland New Zealand and the Norfolk pigeon (H. n. spadicea) of Norfolk Island, now extinct. The subspecies differed in their plumage colour and shape.[1]
In 2001, it was proposed that a third subspecies, H. n. chathamensis or the Chatham Island pigeon, was distinct enough to be raised to full species status as H. chathamensis.[2] This has since been accepted by most authorities.[3][4]
- ^ James, R. E. (1995). Breeding ecology of the New Zealand pigeon at Wenderholm Regional Park. p93. School of Environmental and Marine Science. University of Auckland, Auckland.
- ^ Millener, P. R., and R. G. Powlesland. (2001). The Chatham Island pigeon (Chatham pigeon) deserves full species status; Hemiphaga chathamensis (Rothschild 1891); Aves: Columbidae. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 31:365–383.
- ^ "Updates & Corrections – December 2009 | Clements Checklist". www.birds.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
- ^ "SPECIES UPDATES-Version 1.5 (January 16, 2008)". www.worldbirdnames.org. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 2020-01-23.