Morepork — Australian Bird Identification Guide

Bird guideMorepork

Uncommon in drier eastern areas.

Spot this species Read on Wikipedia

⚠️Not listed

🍃Indigenous: Guurrguurr, Southern Boobook

At a glance

FamilyOwls

SizeLarge

RarityCommon

HabitatIn New Zealand, it primarily inhabits forests dominated by Podocarpus, Nothofagus, Metrosideros, and other hardwoods, up to the alpine tree line.

Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September to December.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by Meena Haribal

Range map

Occurrence window

1970visible hotspots

14684visible records

2states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Mostly heard at night via their distinct double hoot call of 'more-pork'. Other calls are a monotonous 'more' or a rising 'quee' call, often given whilst hunting. Minimal overlap with introduced Little Owl, but differentiated by darker colouration, larger head, as well as longer tail. Note, rising 'quee' call can be mistaken for kiwi calls.

Behavior

Nocturnal and roosts during day in dense vegetation, particularly in tree ferns. Small birds mobbing them as they roost can give away their day-time location.

Gallery