Morepork

Ninox novaeseelandiae

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.

Scientific name

Ninox novaeseelandiae

Family

Owls

IUCN status

LC