Sculpture
Laughing owl
Whēkau, about twice the size of a morepork.
Proposed
Where we are now
A drawing and a spot: the bird on a branch inside a frame, 1.8 m by 0.5 m, with a Māori motif still to be worked out with the rūnanga.
Why it is in the plan
The most recent extinction on the trail.
“This one is close to home for me, as the last one was reported at Hanging Rock in the early 20th century. I think I missed it by 50 years! There’s one in the Otago museum (stuffed, not a skeleton) so it will be an easy one to do accurately.”
In deep time
Sceloglaux albifacies, whēkau. About twice the size of a morepork, and known for its strange calls.