About the Laughing Owl
The laughing owl, also known as whēkau, the laughing jackass, or the white-faced owl, is an extinct species of owl that was endemic to New Zealand. Plentiful when European settlers arrived in New Zealand, its scientific description was published in 1845, but it was largely or completely extinct by 1914. The species was traditionally considered to belong to the monotypic genus Sceloglaux Kaup, 1848, although recent genetic studies indicate that it belongs with the boobook owls in the genus Ninox.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Owls (Strigidae) |
| Species | Ninox albifacies |
| Species Codes | lauowl1, LAOW |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Laughing Owl belong to?
The Laughing Owl (Ninox albifacies) belongs to the Owls family (Strigidae), in the order Strigiformes.
How can I identify the Laughing Owl?
The laughing owl, also known as whēkau, the laughing jackass, or the white-faced owl, is an extinct species of owl that was endemic to New Zealand. Plentiful when European settlers arrived in New Zealand, its scientific description was published in 1845, but it was largely or completely extinct by 1...
Where can I report a Laughing Owl sighting?
You can log sightings of Laughing Owl on eBird (ebird.org) using species code lauowl1, or on iNaturalist.
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