Tasmanian Owl Identified on Lord Howe Island After 2019 Discovery
In 2019, a deceased owl was discovered on Lord Howe Island, sparking curiosity about its species. Australian Museum researchers, collaborating with the Department of Planning and Environment and the Lord Howe Island Board, conducted DNA testing and morphological comparisons with museum specimens. They determined the bird was a Tasmanian Boobook, not the extinct Lord Howe Morepork. The owl likely arrived due to weather patterns, marking the first Ninox species sighting on the island in five decades. This finding highlights scientific collaboration and avian migration patterns.
Key facts
- A dead owl was found on Lord Howe Island in 2019.
- Australian Museum scientists identified it as a Tasmanian Boobook.
- DNA analysis and specimen comparisons were used for identification.
- The owl's presence may be linked to weather systems.
- This is the first Ninox species recorded on the island in 50 years.
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- Department of Planning and Environment
- Lord Howe Island Board
- American Museum of Natural History
Locations
- Lord Howe Island
- Tasmania
- Victoria