Adorable chick a boost for special Norfolk owls

Christmas came early at Norfolk Island National Park, when rangers located a new morepork chick in a nest box in the park in mid-December.

Rangers banded the chick, which was about five weeks old and still covered in fluffy grey down, before returning it to the nest.

Banding allows staff to track survival, movement and breeding success over time, helping build a clearer picture of how the morepork population is faring.

With a population estimated at fewer than 30 birds, every new chick that hatches is a cause for celebration, representing an important step forward in the long-term conservation and survival of the species.

There are 14 monitored nest boxes throughout the national park as part of the long-running conservation and monitoring program for these rare owls.

Adults are 26-29cm long, with brown, buff and white feathers and darker rings around large yellow eyes. Often difficult to spot, they can be identified by their distinctive nighttime ‘oo-oo’ call.

Norfolk Island moreporks are a unique subspecies of the New Zealand morepork, but by the 1980s, the population had declined to the point where only a single adult female remained.

To prevent the complete loss of moreporks from the island, two males were introduced from New Zealand in the late 1980s. One successfully bred with the remaining female, and today’s owls descend from that small group.

The population is closely managed, with conservation efforts over the past few years focusing on research, habitat protection, nest box installation, predator control and island-wide monitoring.

An annual survey is an important part of the monitoring program. Staff and community members work together over four nights, playing male and female morepork calls in 26 locations across the island, and recording any answering calls.

Analysis of the recordings has just been completed, and indicates the population remains stable, which is positive news for the future of the species.

Norfolk Island National Park staff would like to thank the 17 dedicated volunteers who took part in the survey. As with so many of the island’s vital conservation programs, we could not hope to achieve as much without you.