Ruru Information Report

Ruru

The ruru also known as the morepork is New Zealand's only native owl weighing  about 175g and is
about 29 cm tall. The ruru is one of the few birds in New Zealand that is nocturnal.

The ruru has bright yellow eyes and dirty white feet. It has dark brown feathers on its head and reddish
brown feathers and white feathers on its stomach. The ruru can turn its head all the way around so it
can see all predators. Since the morepork is nocturnal it also has night vision.
 When flying the ruru does not make a sound because of the soft edges on its wings.

The ruru only lives on the South Island and offshore islands in New Zealand. It lives in forests
 because the ruru needs trees to survive. But sadly humans are cutting down the forest meaning it’s
getting harder and harder for the ruru to find homes.

When the ruru eat they swallow their prey whole and then cough up there bones fur and feathers.
The ruru eat insects, lizards, Beetles, small birds, weta, moths, spiders, rats and mice.
Ruru are very good at hunting because one ear is higher than the other and this helps the ruru
 to pinpoint sounds.

In spring the ruru will lay about 2 eggs. The female will incubate the eggs for 20 to 30 days while
the male goes hunting for food to bring back to the female.
Sometimes if there is not enough food the ruru will only let one chick survive.

Ruru have many threats such as cats, rats,possums and mustelids but their biggest threat is
humans as we are cutting down their homes, taking away their food and moreporks can’t see
glass so they fly into it and die!

Humans may be a threat to the ruru but if we put our heads together and actually try we can help this
amazing bird.

By Brighid