Two mischievous moreporks have taken up residency in a Masterton family's backyard. The family do not wish to be identified to protect the safety of the moreporks but said the baby owls were a rare sight for most people they had spoken to. "Everyone says they have never seen a morepork soclose up but these two are very cheeky the way they fly right past you." The family said the mother of the two chicks has been feeding them most likely from the nearby hay paddock. "The paddock's just been cut and would be easy food for her." In the 20 years the family has lived at their home they have heard moreporks in the garden and seen them from a distance. "We have never had them breed here though." The notorious morepork sound made by the owls has not been bothering the family. "They are only making small tweeting sounds at the moment and you don't hear the mother much. They are just so cute and fluffy that you want to pick them up." Pukaha Mt Bruce captive breeding manager Darren Page said the moreporks are classed as protective native birds. "It is likely they are attracted to the area because of the good food source. They feed on large insects like cicadas and wetas, moths, huhu beetles, spiders, mice, young rats and small birds," he said. Mr Page doubts the moreporks will stay in the area but if they do it will be because of the food available. "Most birds are very territorial so it is likely that the parents will probably push the younger ones out of the area eventually."
