The Morepork is New Zealand’s only surviving native owl.  Often heard in the forest at dusk and throughout the night, the morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) is known for its haunting, melancholic call. Its Maori name, Ruru, reflects this call.
The much larger laughing owl became extinct in the 20th century. The German or little owl is a smaller species often found on open and lightly wooded farmland. It was introduced to New Zealand between 1906 and 1910 to try to control smaller introduced birds.

DOC:  
http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/morepork-ruru/

• Morepork are commonly found in forests throughout mainland New Zealand and on offshore islands.

• They are less common within the drier open regions of Canterbury and Otago.

• They are classified as not threatened.

• Morepork are speckled brown with yellow eyes set in a dark facial mask.

• They have a short tail.

• The females are bigger than the males.

• Head to tail they measure around 29 cm and the average weight is about 175 g.

• They have acute hearing and are sensitive to light.

• They can turn their head through 270 degrees.

NZ BIRDS ONLINE:   
http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/morepork

• Morepork   - Ninox novaeseelandiae (Gmelin, 1788)

• Order: Strigiformes

• Family: Strigidae

• New Zealand status: Native

• Conservation status: Not Threatened

• Other names: ruru, boobook, New Zealand owl

• Geographical variation: At least 4 subspecies. New Zealand birds are the nominate race N.n. novaeseelandiae; N.n. boobook is common in Australia, where it is known as the boobook owl; N.n. albaria of Lord Howe Island is extinct; N.n. undulata of Norfolk Island is also extinct, surviving only as a hybrid population (with N.n. novaeseelandiae)

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