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Story: Birds of prey

Little owl

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Little owl

Little owls (German owls) were introduced early in the 20th century, in an effort to control sparrows. They became established in the South Island but not the North Island. A little owl is similar in weight to a morepork, but its head is flatter and its tail shorter.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10037596

by Rod Morris

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Birds of prey – Morepork: New Zealand’s native owl, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9970/little-owl (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 1 March 2009.