What Are They?
Moreporks and native to New Zealand. Moreporks are nocturnal animals that means
that they sleep in the day and go out at night. Moreporks are a type of owl. Unlike most
native birds moreporks are not endangered.
that they sleep in the day and go out at night. Moreporks are a type of owl. Unlike most
native birds moreporks are not endangered.
What Do They Look Like?
Moreporks are all different shades of brown and white. Moreporks have very big
kowhai (yellow) eyes. Ruru (Morepork) have lots of fluffy feathers to keep them warm in
the winter.
kowhai (yellow) eyes. Ruru (Morepork) have lots of fluffy feathers to keep them warm in
the winter.
Where Are They Found?
Ruru (moreporks) are found in forests all over New Zealand. Moreporks are uncommon
in drier eastern areas. Moreporks are endemic to New Zealand. That means that they
are only found in New Zealand.
in drier eastern areas. Moreporks are endemic to New Zealand. That means that they
are only found in New Zealand.
Feeding Behaviour?
Ruru (Moreporks) eat a variety of different things, including small animals, large insects,
small birds and small mammals. To catch their prey they fly silently then they swoop
down and catch their prey with their beak or long sharp talons. Moreporks can their
heads 270° to see if danger is coming.
small birds and small mammals. To catch their prey they fly silently then they swoop
down and catch their prey with their beak or long sharp talons. Moreporks can their
heads 270° to see if danger is coming.
Breeding
Moreporks breed in raumati (summer) and koanga (spring). They normally build their
nests in dead or alive trees and broken logs. Moreporks lay one to three eggs. Both
adults stay and look after and feed the chicks. Usually only one chick will live because
of food supply and the others might get eaten by predators.
nests in dead or alive trees and broken logs. Moreporks lay one to three eggs. Both
adults stay and look after and feed the chicks. Usually only one chick will live because
of food supply and the others might get eaten by predators.
Threats
Moreporks threats are cats, weasels, possums, rats, pigs and hedgehogs. They protect
themselves with strong, sharp beaks and talons. The human threats to moreporks are
that we are chopping down trees that they build the nests in, so they have nowhere to
live. To look after them in the future we could plant more trees for their homes.
We could also help them by trying to kill all the their predators to help them survive.
themselves with strong, sharp beaks and talons. The human threats to moreporks are
that we are chopping down trees that they build the nests in, so they have nowhere to
live. To look after them in the future we could plant more trees for their homes.
We could also help them by trying to kill all the their predators to help them survive.
BY SASHA
