Hemiphaga Explained

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]

Taxonomy

The genus Hemiphaga was introduced by the French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1854 with the New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) as the type species.[5] The name combines the Ancient Greek hēmi meaning "half-" or "small" with the end of the genus name Carpophaga introduced by Prideaux John Selby in 1835.[6]

The genus contains two species:[7]

Notes and References

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Web site: Updates & Corrections – December 2009 Clements Checklist. www.birds.cornell.edu. 2020-01-23.
  4. Web site: SPECIES UPDATES-Version 1.5 (January 16, 2008). 16 January 2008. www.worldbirdnames.org. 2020-01-23.
  5. Bonaparte . Charles Lucien . Charles Lucien Bonaparte . 1854 . Coup d'oeil sur les pigeons (deuxième partie) . French . Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences . 39 . 1072–1078 [1076–1077] .
  6. Book: Jobling, James A. . 2010. The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm . London . 978-1-4081-2501-4 . 189 .
  7. Web site: Gill . Frank . Frank Gill (ornithologist) . Donsker . David . Rasmussen . Pamela . Pamela Rasmussen . 2020 . Pigeons . IOC World Bird List Version 10.1 . International Ornithologists' Union . 16 March 2020 .

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