Laughing owl
extinct species of owl
The laughing owl (Ninox albifacies), also known as whēkau, laughing jackass, or white-faced owl, is an extinct species of owl that was endemic to New Zealand. It was widespread when European settlers arrived, and its scientific description was published in 1845. The species declined rapidly thereafter and was largely or completely extinct by 1914. The laughing owl was classified in the monotypic genus Sceloglaux by Johann Jakob Kaup in 1848, a name meaning "scoundrel owl" that may have referred to its unusual, mischievous-sounding calls. Genetic studies have subsequently indicated that it is more closely related to the boobook owls of the genus Ninox.
Taxonomy
The laughing owl was originally described as Athene albifacies by George Robert Gray in 1844, based on a specimen from Waikouaiti, South Island. The type specimen is held at the British Museum (Reg. no. 1845.1.13.5).
The species was later transferred by Johann Jakob Kaup to other genera, first to the monotypic genus Sceloglaux (as S. albifacies) in 1848 and later to Ieraglaux (as I. albifacies) in 1852.
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