This little night owl is New Zealand's only remaining native owl species. 

Morepork are considered 'guardians of the forest'.  They’re important birds in Maori mythology, and their glowing eyes can be found in Maori carvings, inlaid with paua shell.  The glaring eyes seen in the Haka, are also inspired by the Morepork.

As birds of the night, they can see in low light, but have exceptional hearing to locate prey in the dark.  They are silent in flight, with serrated feathers on their wings which muffle sound.  

They nest in tree cavities or on the ground, but this makes them easy prey for predators like stoats and cats. 

This image is set against a dusky blue sky background, with the Morepork in shades of cocoa brown and caramel.  (Also available with a caramel background).

Framed print in photo is A1 size.