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Diet of Morepork ( Ninox novaeseelandiae ) throughout New Zealand by analysis of stomach contents

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    1999

  • Author(s)

    J.M. Haw; M.N. Clout

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    46, 3

  • Pagination

    333-345

  • Article Type

    paper

Keywords

diet; Insecta; Owl; Strigiformes


Diet of Morepork ( Ninox novaeseelandiae ) throughout New Zealand by analysis of stomach contents

Notornis, 46 (3), 333-345

J.M. Haw; M.N. Clout (1999)

Article Type: paper

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The diet of the Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) in New Zealand was investigated by analysing stomach contents. In the sample of 75 stomachs from throughout New Zealand, 1696 prey items were identified, 98% of them invertebrates. Major invertebrate prey taken included Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera. Lepidoptera were consumed mostly in summer and Coleoptera in winter. Vertebrate prey were predominantly birds, but included one house mouse (Mus musculus). New dietary items included praying mantis (Dictyoptera), blowflies (Diptera), wasps (Hymenoptera), and slaters (Isopoda). Most prey was 20-50 mm in body length. Diets of male and female Moreporks were similar, as were those of North and South Island birds. As suggested from other studies, the diet of Moreporks is varied, but consists primarily of invertebrates. Food habits apparently reflect the seasonal abundance of prey.