New Zealand owlet-nightjar
| New Zealand owlet-nightjar Temporal range: Quaternary
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|---|---|
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Extinct (1400s)
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Aegotheliformes |
| Family: | Aegothelidae |
| Genus: | Aegotheles |
| Species: | †A. novazealandiae
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| Binomial name | |
| †Aegotheles novazealandiae (Scarlett 1968)
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| Synonyms | |
|
Megaegotheles novazealandiae | |
The New Zealand owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles novazealandiae) (Māori: Ruru hinapō)[1] is an extinct, comparatively large species of owlet-nightjar (family Aegothelidae) formerly endemic to the islands of New Zealand. Fossil remains (which are common in the pellets of the extinct laughing owl) indicate the species was once widespread across both the North Island and the South Island.[2]
Description[edit]
The New Zealand owlet-nightjar was the largest species of owlet-nightjar, weighing an estimated 150–200 g. The species was also either flightless, as suggested by its small wings, or a very poor flier (the species has a strong keel). The diet probably consisted of invertebrates, as well as frogs and lizards.
Extinction[edit]
The species most likely rapidly became extinct after the Māori arrived in New Zealand, introducing Pacific rats. Their remains have never been found in association with Māori middens, and are unlikely to have been hunted due to their small size and nocturnal habits. Despite a small number of reports of small owls being found in the 19th century that may have been New Zealand owlet-nightjars, the species is thought to have become extinct around 1400 AD.
References[edit]
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (October 2009) |
- ^ "New Zealand owlet-nightjar | Ruru hinapō | New Zealand Birds Online". nzbirdsonline.org.nz. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Holdaway, Richard N.; Jones, Martin D.; Beavan Athfield, Nancy R. (2002). "Late Holocene extinction of the New Zealand owlet-nightjar Aegotheles novaezealandiae". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 32 (4): 653–667. doi:10.1080/03014223.2002.9517714. S2CID 129691446.
- Worthy, Trevor H., & Holdaway, Richard N. (2002) The Lost World of the Moa, Indiana University Press: Bloomington, ISBN 0-253-34034-9
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