Owls can be found throughout New Zealand, inhabiting a variety of habitats from native forests to urban areas. There are three owl species that are native to New Zealand: the morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae), the ruru (Ninox novaeseelandiae), and the laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies). The latter is now extinct.
Morepork
The morepork, also known as the native owl, is New Zealand’s most common and widespread owl species. It is found across the length and breadth of the country, including the North, South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands. Moreporks occupy a diverse range of habitats, including:
- Native forests – Moreporks roost and nest in the hollows of trees like kauri, totara, and beech. Forests provide plenty of insect prey.
- Orchards and woodlands – Moreporks hunt amongst fruit trees and scattered trees.
- Parks and gardens – Moreporks thrive in urban parks and big gardens with mature trees for roosting and nesting.
- Farmland – Moreporks inhabit barns, haylofts, sheds, and hunt over open pastures.
- Coastal areas – Moreporks are found along forested shorelines and rocky coastal cliffs.
- Subalpine areas – Moreporks live in South Island beech forests up to the treeline.
The morepork is a year-round resident across these habitats. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Their nocturnal nature also allows them to avoid heat stress during hot summer days. Moreporks are somewhat adaptable to habitat modification and can thrive close to human settlement when sufficient prey and roost sites exist.
Ruru
The ruru (Ninox novaeseelandiae) is New Zealand’s other native owl species. It was previously considered a subspecies of the morepork but was recognized as a distinct species in 2010. The ruru is found across the North, South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. It occupies very similar habitats to the morepork including:
- Native forests
- Parks and gardens
- Orchards and farmland
- Urban areas
However, the ruru has a stronger association with undisturbed native forest habitat. It mainly inhabits dense, mature podocarp, kauri, and beech forests. The ruru’s population is concentrated in forested national parks like Fiordland, Kahurangi and the Catlins.
Compared to the morepork, the ruru has lesser tolerance for habitat disturbance and urbanization. Continued forest clearance has reduced its population and range. However, the ruru has adapted to regenerating native bush and plantation pine forests.
Laughing Owl
The laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) was a distinct, endemic owl species found only in New Zealand. It was heavily persecuted by European settlers and became extinct around 1914. The laughing owl inhabited a wide range of ecosystems across the country including:
- Lowland podocarp-broadleaf forests
- Beech forests
- Tussock grasslands
- Wetlands and marshes
- Rocky crevices and caves
- Coastal cliffs
The species disappeared rapidly in the late 1800s as forests were cleared for farmland. Other threats like invasive predators, persecution, and habitat changes caused by fire hastened its decline. A few unconfirmed sightings occurred in the early 1900s before it became extinct.
Habitat Threats
Deforestation and habitat loss were the major threats historically which caused the extinction of the laughing owl. Even today, land clearing for agriculture, logging, development and mining impact native owl populations. Urbanization has reduced habitat for sensitive species like the ruru.
Other threats faced by New Zealand owls today include:
- Predators like rats, stoats, feral cats
- Nest disturbances
- Vehicle collisions in urban areas
- Electrocution on power lines
- Climate change
Predator control, habitat protection in reserves, and nest-box provisioning help protect owl populations. More research is needed to understand urban ecology of native owls and mitigate threats in human-dominated landscapes.
Urban Owls
Moreporks have adapted well to urbanization and thrive in cities like Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch. Nest boxes and education programs aim to support urban owl populations. Rurus have a lesser tolerance for urban areas but can be found in green spaces. Key ways to support owls in cities include:
- Retaining mature trees, forests, and wetlands
- Providing nest boxes on suitable trees
- Educating the public to appreciate owls
- Keeping cats indoors and controlling rats/stoats
- Reducing collisions by identifying and modifying risk hotspots
Citizen science projects allow volunteers to monitor urban owls. Continued research and community partnerships are important to ensure owl-friendly neighborhoods.
Conclusion
The three native owl species occupy a range of habitats across New Zealand. Forest loss and predation pressures have impacted their populations. However, moreporks thrive in modified environments including urban greenspaces. Conservation efforts like predator control and habitat protection can help safeguard remaining owl populations. Community engagement is key for the conservation of owls within our towns and cities.