Morepork

Ruru

        

Ninix novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae

Plumage pretty much as seen in photos, mottled off white and brown. The female is generally slightly bigger. Morepork are heard much more often than they are seen. However we do get lucky moderately regularly.  Occasionally other smaller birds will find a roosting bird and the resulting clamor can be a good marker, as they harass the luckless Morepork who is only trying to sleep.

They nest in holes in trees, generally have two eggs which take around 30 days to incubate, with the nestlings taking a further 5 weeks or so to fledge.

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