mopoke

British  

/ ˈməʊˌpəʊk /

noun

1. Also called (NZ): ruru.  a small spotted owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae, of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia the tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides, is very often wrongly identified as the mopoke

2. slang a slow or lugubrious person

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Etymology

Origin of mopoke

C19: imitative of the bird's cry

Example Sentences

Mooregoo the Mopoke had been camped away by himself for a long time.

From Australian Legendary Tales: folklore of the Noongahburrahs as told to the Piccaninnies by Parker, K. Langloh (Katie Langloh)

And when an owl came and sat in the tree and began to call, "Mopoke," the Little Red House told him rudely to stop his silly noise and clear out.

From A Book for Kids by Dennis, C. J. (Clarence James)

The Boobook Owl, though not often seen, calls "Mopoke," which sounded like "Boobook" to the aboriginal ear, but became "Cuckoo"—the best-loved bird-call of their far-distant home to the ears of the homesick first white residents.

From An Australian Bird Book A Pocket Book for Field Use by Leach, John Albert

You'll never be missed in the dark, and I 'll light plenty of candles now, and dazzle the Mopoke.

From The Moving Finger A Trotting Christmas Eve at Warwingie Lost! The Loss of the "Vanity" Dick Stanesby's Hutkeeper The Yanyilla Steeplechase A Digger's Christmas by Gaunt, Mary