Ruru: Midnight Marauders
Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:28 am – Posted by Mandy | 12 Comments
Guest blogger: Campaign Manager for the Ruru, Stephen Clark
Morepork, Photo: Chris Turner
In a year when we remember it was 70 years since we declared war on Germany at the start of the Second World War, it seems a good choice to choose a bird that is still having trouble with Germans. In this case the German Owl, and the New Zealander (Ruru) is loosing its battle for habitat on our own shores.
It would be a pity to see New Zealand’s only remaining native owl go the way of its cousin, the laughing owl. Especially when these small birds are skilled, stealthy fliers, able hunters and intelligent I have personally seen one roost at night on a lamp post just below the street light so it could feed on anything that was drawn to the light at night.
They are able to fly by stealth because of soft fringes on their feathers. This enables them to fly almost silently. They have acute hearing and their eyes are very sensitive to light. Basically they are highly developed and skilled hunters with abilities that deerstalkers and others could only dream about.
Their brown speckled plumage makes them quite an attractive bird, and unlike some other owls their face is not dominated by eyes, but nicely framed, giving them a slightly surprised look.
In Maori tradition, Ruru is not only a watchful guardian, but a connection to the spirit world. We now have to take the role of watchful guardian to this bird.
It might have been overlooked by the pork marketing board, but is a bird that knows its name (Both Morepork and Ruru are close approximations of the calls it makes). It is also a handy bird to have at BBQ’s as it only starts to wake at dusk, eats insects and rodents and will tell you when you need more pork for the Barbie. Some of its behaviour resonates well with New Zealanders too as it likes to go bush but can also adapt well to the leafy suburbs, is more likely to be heard than seen (like many politicians), and enjoy a good night out, although their night out is just spent hunting).
I better not write too much more, because they are probably intelligent enough to read this too, and as a visit from one in daylight is the harbinger of bad news I don’t want to be greeted by one at my door when I get home.
IF ruru is decreasing in numbers, it’s unlikely to be because of competition with little owls as they do not share the same habitat. Ruru is a bird of the forest while little owl is a bird of open country, South Island (and maybe lower North Island) only, mostly east of the main divide. Ruru will suffer from the same threats as other forest birds: some pest animals (although they must also benefit from the presence of mice) and habitat destruction!
Hi! How come the Morepork lost more than 100 votes between yesterday and today? We are campaigning hard for our little guy and are shocked and horified that such a thing has occurred.
In fact, the Morepork ‘09 contingent strongly suspects that there is Rifleman based tomfoolery afoot.
All we want is a good, fair fight for B.O.T.Y ‘09.
Do you know what gives?
-Team Morepork
P.S: join us at Morepork ‘09 Facebook HQ!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=135219329628&ref=nf
There’s been no tom-foolery, just another technical slip-up, alll sorted now - sorry about that!
Hi Morepork guys. I don’t think Rifleman-based Tomfoolery, so much as Rifleman-based block-voting.
Never fear, they’ll fall from their perch one day….
-Team Fernbird
PS Do you think someone could add those 100 votes to Fernbird without drawing attentionj?
Hooray! Thanks heaps!
And good luck, Team Fernbird - Great to see another group that is impervious to the cute-factor of the Rifleman…
Rock the Vote!
-Team Morepork
See that picture above of ruru? Well, that’s how I must look whenever I see the votes for rifleman!!
They say the Ruru is a guardian and link to the spirtual world. Well check this out. We have and are going through some heart renching stuff and following prayer my wife heard God say that whenever she heard the Ruru she would know that he was with her. At the two worst times the Ruru has turned up. The last time at 2 in the afternoon right out in the open, sitting and calling from the powerlines outside the house on one of Aucklands busiest road. As a link and a messenger that bird rocks
Aalbert, i just last night saw a ruru and little owl in the same area and often here them both on queen charlotte drive. also there are shit loads of ruru there more than ever too
Hi Team Morepork guys
If James and others were tuned-in to a certain radio talk-back that night, I suspect they might have heard more about rifleman coming from the trannie than the calls of ruru or any other bird.
Things travel on the grapevine up here in Auckland faster than a karearea can swoop on an unsuspecting grey warbler…
My suspicions were aroused seeing how rifleman’s votes were appearing on masse literally overnight…
Look at fernbird votes now, guys. We’re right on your tail, Team Morepork. Watch out, we’re a-comin’ through!!
That radio promo is powerful stuff….
What did I say ages and ages ago about perches being all shook up ?!! Look at kiwi flying!