Hemiphaga
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| Hemiphaga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae | |
Scientific classification  | |
| 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 a 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]
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