Extinction Laughing owl

turnaround video of specimen, naturalis biodiversity center

by 1880, species becoming rare, , last recorded specimen found dead @ bluecliffs station in canterbury, new zealand on july 5, 1914 (worthy, 1997). there have been unconfirmed reports since then; last (unconfirmed) north island records in 1925 , 1927, @ wairaumoana branch of lake waikaremoana (st. paul & mckenzie, 1977; blackburn, 1982). in book wandering naturalist, brian parkinson describes reports of laughing owl in pakahi near opotiki in 1940s. unidentified bird heard flying overhead , giving unusual weird cry might described maniacal @ saddle hill, fiordland, in february 1956 (hall-jones, 1960), , laughing owl egg fragments apparently found in canterbury in 1960 (williams & harrison, 1972).

extinction caused persecution (mainly specimens), land use changes, , introduction of predators such cats , stoats. accepted until late 20th century species disappearance due competition introduced predators kiore, or pacific rat, favorite prey of laughing owl (an idea advanced walter buller). however, since kiore introduced animal, laughing owl preyed on small birds, reptiles , bats, , later utilized introduced mice well. direct predation on unwary , gentle-natured bird seems more have caused species extinction. comprehensive review of species decline , disappearance presented williams & harrison (1972).