Ruru,Tasmanian spotted owl, Ruru, Tasmanian spotted owl
The morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) is a small forest-dwelling owl. Described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it was for many years considered to be the same species as the Australian boobook of mainland Australia until 1999. Its name is derived from its two-tone call. The morepork has almost 20 alternative common names, including mopoke and boobook - many of these names are onomatopoeic, as they emulate the bird's distinctive two-pitched call.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Morepork has a generally dark brown head and upperparts, with pale brown spots on the 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 feathers of the chin and throat are buff with dark brown shafts. The feathers of the underparts are mostly dark brown with buff and white spots and streaks, with the larger markings on the belly making it look paler overall. The upper tail is dark brown with lighter brown bars. The feet of morepork are orange or yellow in color with blackish claws.
Moreporks are found throughout New Zealand and on Norfolk Island. The birds occur in most habitats with trees, in New Zealand forests dominated by conifers and beeches, and other hardwoods, up to the alpine tree line. On Norfolk Island, they live in the forests of Norfolk Island pine. Moreporks are also common in urban areas, farmlands, and plantations.
These birds are sedentary within their range and don't migrate. They are usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups of an adult pair and up to three young. They are generally nocturnal, though they may sometimes be active at dawn and dusk. During the day, moreporks retire to roosts in secluded spots in the foliage of trees. The main hunting times are evenings and mornings, with brief bursts of activity through the night. On dark nights, they often perch through the middle hours, and particularly if the weather is bad, may hunt by daylight, instead. Although their main hunting technique is perch-and-pounce, they are agile birds with a swift, goshawk-like wing action; they are able to maneuver rapidly when pursuing prey or hawking for insects. Moreporks are usually vocal at night, just before dawn, and during the breeding season. Their main calls are 'quor-quo' and 'boo-book' hoots; during the breeding season, the birds usually make 'cree-cree', mewing and rippling sounds.
Moreporks are carnivores (insectivores). They feed mainly on insects and small vertebrates such as scarab and huhu beetles, moths and caterpillars, spiders, grasshoppers, and in New Zealand, weta. They also take almost any suitably sized prey, particularly small birds, rats, and mice.
Moreporks are monogamous birds that form strong long-lasting pair bonds. They usually breed between September and February and nest anywhere the trees are large enough to have hollows. Nests are located in hollow trees, tree holes, and sometimes in a tree fork. The female lays 2-3 white eggs and incubates them within a month. The owlets hatch helpless and have greyish-white down. They are fed by both parents and fledge at 5 weeks of age. The young usually remain with their parents for some time more and reach reproductive maturity when they are 2-3 years old.
Moreporks are widespread and generally common throughout their range. However, the population of these birds is declining due to loss of habitat, predation, and illegal trade.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the morepork total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...