There’s nothing subtle about a Kererū.

New Zealand’s native wood pigeon is a glorious combination of iridescent greens and purples, brilliant white chest, red feet… and the general dimensions of a bird that has never once considered portion control.

But beneath that rather substantial chassis is one of our most important native birds. Kererū are one of the few remaining species capable of swallowing and spreading the large seeds of trees such as miro, tawa and karaka, making them an essential part of keeping our native forests growing.

They’re also magnificent flyers — despite appearances. A Kererū launching from a branch can look like gravity has briefly won, before those huge wings get organised and the whole operation becomes surprisingly graceful.

Beautiful, slightly ridiculous, unmistakably Kiwi.

And always worth pointing a camera at.