Morepork
Ninox novaeseelandiae
The Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) is a uncommon owl found in 2 countries, weighing about 183 g. The morepork, also known by its Māori name ruru, is a small brown owl found in New Zealand, the Australian islands of Norfolk Island, and formerly on Lord Howe Island.
About the Morepork
The morepork, also known by its Māori name ruru, is a small 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The morepork is 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11.5 in) long, with the female slightly larger than the male. Females are slightly heavier at 170–216 g (6.0–7.6 oz) compared with the male's 140–156 g (4.9–5.5 oz). The morepork has generally dark brown head and upperparts, with pale brown spots on head and neck and white markings on the rest of the upperparts, with a pale yellow-white supercilium (eyebrow), dark brown ear coverts, and buff cheeks. The eyes are yellow to golden-yellow. The feathers of the chin and throat are buff with dark brown shafts. Voice: Moreporks have multiple distinct vocalisations. The "more-pork" call for which they are named is heard most frequently, but other vocalisations include a high pitched yelping call, a whistling call similar to kiwi, and a lower pitched "quork-quork" rumbling call. As many as 11 distinct calls have been observed by researchers.
What the Morepork sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Morepork?
- The morepork is 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11.5 in) long, with the female slightly larger than the male. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Morepork?
- The Morepork is a medium sized bird weighing about 183 g.
- Where can you see a Morepork?
- The Morepork occurs in 2 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
- What does a Morepork sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Morepork on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Morepork?
- The Morepork is most easily confused with the Australian Boobook, the Northern Boobook and the Powerful Owl.
- Is the Morepork endangered?
- The Morepork is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Morepork for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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