mopoke

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mopoke¹

C19: imitative of the bird's cry

Example Sentences

No cry of beast or bird ruffles the 111 stillness, save perhaps the faint tinkle of the bell-bird or the solemn plaint of the mopoke from some distant scrub.

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The hooting of the mopoke owl Floats on the midnight air; The prowling dingoe’s dismal howl Is chorused wide and far.

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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.

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However, some reliable observers, notably Mr. C. H. McLennan, "Mallee Bird," and Mr. T. H. Tregellas, claim that the Frogmouth does call "Mopoke'" occasionally, but the Boobook Owl is the bird that is responsible for the frequent "Mopoke" on calm evenings.

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Only a mopoke called plaintively in the distance.

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