Ruru: Midnight Marauders
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.
