magicalowls

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jennilsphotography

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{Barn Owls in The Oak} by {Mike Rae}

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The laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) is an extinct species of owl endemic to New Zealand, so named because of its shrieking call. These owls were about 40 cm long and weighed about 600 grams. The last confirmed sighting was of a dead individual in 1914, though unsubstantiated reports continued into the 1930’s.

The introduction of invasive mammalian predators such as cats, ferrets, and weasels is thought to be the main cause of the laughing owl’s extinction. To a lesser degree, they were hunted and collected for display in museums and zoos. [x]

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