- Ninox novaeseelandiae
Identification
Rich spotted or streaky brown, brown face and golden eyes.
Distribution
Taxonomy
This species has previously been considered to be the same species as Southern Boobook from Australia and the Sumba Boobook from Sumba in Indonesia. Three subspecies of the Morepork are novaeseelandiae which all New Zeeland birds belong to, undulata from Norfolk Island, and albaria from Lord Howe Island, the latter is presumed extinct.
Habitat
Forests.
Behaviour
Diet includes insects, bats, small birds, and rats, mice, and lizards.
A nest is made in a tree hole and 2 eggs are laid and incubated for about a month. The young fledge about 5 weeks later.
