Morepork

Ninox novaeseelandiae(Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Also known asRuru

Least ConcernNative

Order: STRIGIFORMES
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Very common
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The morepork, also known by its Māori name ruru, is a smallish brown owl found in New Zealand, the Australian islands of Norfolk Island, and formerly on Lord Howe Island. Its names are onomatopoeic, owing to the species’ distinctive calls. Three subspecies of the morepork are recognised, one of which is extinct and another that exists only as a hybrid population.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 30–35 cm
Weight: 105–237 g
Wingspan: 56 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

During the day, they often roost bolt-upright and motionless in deep shadows close to tree trunks, relying on their mottled plumage for camouflage.

flight

Flight is swift and agile with a wing action similar to a goshawk, often transitioning into a near-silent, non-flapping glide when maneuvering through dense foliage.

plumage

Look for striking golden-yellow eyes set in a dark mask with prominent pale eyebrows, contrasting with white-spotted dark brown upperparts and heavily streaked underparts.

size_and_shape

This small, compact owl has a noticeably large, rounded head and a short, squared-off tail; it lacks ear tufts, giving it a very smooth silhouette.

voice

Listen for the diagnostic, resonant two-note 'more-pork' or 'ru-ru' call, typically delivered with the second note slightly lower in pitch than the first.

02 · Where