Morepork

Ninox novaeseelandiae(Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asRuru

Least ConcernNative

Order: STRIGIFORMES
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox

At a glance

The Morepork is a medium-sized bird, about 30–35 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 30–35 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Native
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Very common

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Morepork look like?

The Morepork is a medium-sized bird, about 30–35 cm long and weighing 105–237 g.

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.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Morepork?

The Morepork is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Morepork eat?

The Morepork feeds on terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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