ruru - morepork
Aotearoa's most widespread species of owl.
ruru
morepork
Ninox novaeseelandiae
New Zealand Status: Native
Conservation Status: Not threatened
Lifespan: Around 6 years
Size: 30cm (about the size of a tūī)
Weight: 175g
-Predation at the nest by rats, cats, possums and mustelids. Or by hedgehogs and pigs if the nest is on the ground.
-Some pest control methods can lead to secondary poisoning.
-Window strike or moving vehicles.
Is it a morepork?
Look for: Ruru are nocturnal but if you think you've seen one in the day check for the dark brown feathers and distinct yellow eyes.
Listen for: The classic 'morepork' call that can be heard at night. One of their other calls, a kind of 'quee' can be confused with a kiwi call.
Did you know?
The serrated edges of ruru feathers reduce turbulence and muffle the sound of air passing over their wings, meaning they can fly silently through the forest at night.
Ruru @ Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Ruru were surviving on Maungatautari, in the presence of introduced pests, before the completion of the fence in 2006. If you book in for a night tour then you might hear their iconic call as you stroll through the Southern Enclosure. During the day it's worth a look around if you hear multiple species performing their alarm calls. Sometimes this is because a Ruru has perched nearby, probably just trying to get some sleep!
References:
Wingspan
New Zealand Birds Online