Laughing owl
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2017) |
Laughing owl | |
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Live N. a. albifacies specimen photographed between 1889 and 1910 | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Strigiformes |
Family: | Strigidae |
Genus: | Ninox |
Species: | †N. albifacies
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Binomial name | |
†Ninox albifacies (Gray, GR, 1844)
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Subspecies | |
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Range of N. albifacies Extinct
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Synonyms | |
Sceloglaux albifacies, Ieraglaux albifacies, Athene albifacies |
The laughing owl (Ninox albifacies), also known as whēkau, the jackass,
Taxonomy
The laughing owl was originally described as Athene albifacies by George Robert Gray in 1844, based on a specimen from Waikouaiti, South Island.[5] The type specimen is held at the British Museum (Reg. no. 1845.1.13.5).[6]
The species was later transferred by
Two subspecies of laughing owl have been described. In the
In the
Scientific specimens
Phylogeny
A 2016 study of the laughing owl's mitogenome concluded that the species does not belong to the monotypic genus Sceloglaux as previously thought, but instead belong to the genus Ninox.[8] The analysis indicated that the laughing owl may be a sister taxon to the Ninox clade containing the barking owl, Sumba boobook, and morepork, the latter of which shared New Zealand with the laughing owl.[8]
Description
The laughing owl's plumage was yellowish-brown striped with dark brown. White straps were on the scapulars, and occasionally the hind neck. Mantle feathers were edged with white. The wings and tail had light-brown bars. The tarsus had yellowish to reddish-buff feathers. The facial disc was white behind and below the eyes, fading to grey with brown stripes towards the centre. Some birds were more rufous, with a brown facial disk; this was at first attributed to subspecific differences, but is probably better related to individual variation. Males were thought to be more often of the richly coloured morph (e.g. the Linz specimen OÖLM 1941/433). The eyes were very dark orange. Its length was 35.5–40 cm (14-15.7 in) and wing length 26.4 cm (10.4 in), with males being smaller than females. Weight was around 600 g.
Vocalisations
The call of the laughing owl has been described as "a loud cry made up of a series of dismal shrieks frequently repeated". The species was given its name because of this sound. Other descriptions of the call were: "A peculiar barking noise ... just like the barking of a young dog"; "Precisely the same as two men 'cooeying' to each other from a distance"; "A melancholy hooting note", or a high-pitched chattering, only heard when the birds were on the wing and generally on dark and drizzly nights or immediately preceding rain. Various whistling, chuckling and mewing notes were observed from a captive bird.
One correspondent claimed that laughing owls would be attracted by accordion play.[11]
Ecology and behaviour
Laughing owls generally occupied rocky, low-rainfall areas and also were found in forest districts in the North Island. Their diet was diverse, encompassing a wide range of
The owls' diet generally reflected the communities of small animals in the area, taking
Individuals of a bird louse of the genus Strigiphilus were found to parasitize laughing owls.[14]
Reproduction
Breeding began in September or October. The nests were lined with dried grass and were on bare ground, in rocky ledges or fissures, or under boulders. Two white, roundish eggs were laid, measuring 44-51 by 38–43 mm (1.7-2" x 1.5-1.7"). Incubation took 25 days, with the male feeding the female on the nest.
Extinction
By 1880, the species was becoming rare. Only a few specimens were collected due to its location. Soon, the last recorded specimen was found dead at
Extinction was caused by persecution (mainly for specimens), land use changes, and the
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Sceloglaux albifacies". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ "Sceloglaux albifacies rufifacies. NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Sceloglaux albifacies albifacies. NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ McLintock, A. H. (1975). The History of Otago (2nd ed.). Christchurch: Capper Press. p. 22.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Richardson, John; Richardson, John; Gray, John Edward; Ross, James Clark; Erebus (Ship); Terror (Ship) (1844). The zoology of the voyage of the H.M.S. Erebus & Terror, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, during the years 1839 to 1843. By authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Vol. 1. London: E. W. Janson.
- ^ Warren, Rachel L.M. (1966). Type-specimens of birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1. London: British Museum (Natural History).
- ^ "Sceloglaux Albifacies*. — (Laughing-Owl.) | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ ISSN 0024-4082.
- ^ a b Worthy, Trevor (1997-01-01). "A survey of historical Laughing Owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) specimens in museum collections". Notornis. 44: 241–252.
- ^ Greenway, James (1967). Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the World. Dover Publications.
- ^ Buller, Walter Lawry (1905-01-01). Supplement to the 'Birds of New Zealand'. Vol. 2.
- .
- ^ *Worthy, Trevor H. (2001): A fossil vertebrate fauna accumulated by laughing owls (Sceloglaux albifacies) on the Gouland Downs, northwest Nelson, South Island. Notornis 48(4): 223-233. PDF fulltext
- ^ Pilgrim, R. L. C. & Palma, R. L. (1982): A list of the chewing lice (Insecta: Mallophaga) from birds in New Zealand. Notornis 29(Supplement): 1-33. PDF fulltext
- ^ Worthy, Trevor H. (1997): A survey of historical Laughing Owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) specimens in museum collections. Notornis 44(4): 241–252. PDF fulltext
- ^ Paul, R. St; McKenzie, H. R. (1977-01-01). "A bushman's seventeen years of noting birds. Part F - Notes on other native birds (Conclusion of series)". Notornis. 24 (2): 65–74.
- ^ Blackburn, A. (1982-01-01). "A 1927 record of the Laughing Owl". Notornis. 29 (1): 79.
- ISBN 978-1-86941-059-9.
- ^ Hall-Jones, John (1960): Rare Fiordland birds. Notornis 8(7): 171-172. PDF fulltext
- ^ Williams, G. R. & Harrison, M. (1972): The Laughing Owl Sceloglaux albifacies (Gray. 1844): A general survey of a near-extinct species. Notornis 19(1): 4-19. PDF fulltext
Illustration gallery
Specimen gallery
Further reading
- Fuller, Errol (2000): Extinct Birds (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York. ISBN 0-19-850837-9
- Lewis, Deane P. (2016): The Owl Pages: Laughing Owl Sceloglaux albifacies. Revision as of 2016-01-29.
- Worthy, Trevor H. & Holdaway, Richard N. (2002): The Lost World of the Moa. Indiana University Press, Bloomington. ISBN 0-253-34034-9
External links
Media related to Ninox albifacies at Wikimedia Commons
- Images of Laughing Owls in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust
- Ninox albifacies discussed on RNZ Critter of the Week, 10 November 2023