Little Lion Bird

Blogger: Morepork campaign manager and comedian, Jerome Chandrahasen

If you are still asking yourself who to vote for in Forest and Bird Bird of the Year poll, stop asking ‘Who? Who?’, vote Ruru.

Morepork, Photo: Jordan Kappely

“The Morepork is the true kiwi battler. Intelligent, hardworking, honest, noble” Morepork campaign manager Jerome Chandrahasen said today.

“It is the only New Zealand bird that knows its own name. The Ruru is one of the few birds that Maori will not eat, out of respect. It is the high priest of the forest.”

Mr Chandrahasen was so moved by the mighty Morepork that he wrote the following poem dedicated to New Zealand’s feathered friend of the night. If all the other birds could talk they’d cry out, “Vote for the Morepork!”

Eater of both mice and rats
foe of evil feral cats
native birds and foreign fowl
both respect this noble owl

Mr Chandrahasen already considers the Morepork the Willie Apiata of New Zealand fauna.  “The Morepork defends us from foreign invaders, watches over us at night, yet asks for nothing in return. The other showier New Zealand predatory birds gain all the glory. Yet it is the Morepork that strikes fear into the heart of our ermine foe.”

After receiving the Victoria Cross in 2007, Willie Apiata was asked, “Do you see yourself as a living legend?” He replied, “I see myself as Willie Apiata.”

“When asked whether it sees itself as a living legend, a Ruru will reply, ‘Ruru’,” Mr Chandrahasen said. “What more evidence do you need? Vote for the Morepork, a true living legend.”

To show your respect for the Morepork/Ruru visit http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/poll to vote for this most noble bird.