birding-aus

Boobook splits

To: Alan Gillanders <>, Birding Aus <>
Subject: Boobook splits
From: David James <>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 18:01:02 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Alan,
 
sorry for the delay in replying, I'm on the road.
I can't speak for Frank Reindt of course. However, I made the comment that I 
think he is unlikely to recommend the splitting of lurida from boobook because 
of what he wrote in an email to Frank Gill (IOC Checklist manager) recently: 
"...our PRELIMINARY vocal analysis shows zero difference [of lurida] to other 
Southern Boobooks from throughout mainland Australia. I don't know where these 
statements on vocal differences come from. I suspect these redder mountain 
birds are an eco-morph, just like Great Horned Owls in the Arizona desert are 
much more sand-colored. As such, one might even disagree on whether they 
deserve subspecific recognition". 
 
I have never noticed a difference in vocals between lurida and boobook, but I 
may have overlooked subtle differences. It is years since I saw or heard 
lurida. Phil Gregory recently told me he didn't think the was a difference in 
the calls. I'd like to know more about any vocal differences you (Alan) or 
anyone else has noticed.
 
However, I would disagree that lurida is only an eco-morph. If it were, then 
there would be mixed pairs and mixed broods of red and normal morphs, and there 
is no evidence of that. I think really the only simple explanation for why 
there are no hybrids, no mixed pairs and broods, no introgression, is that 
boobook and lurida do not interbreed and are different species. However, this 
is a theoretical argument, whereas any split needs to be based on empirical 
evidence. 
==============================
 

________________________________
From: Alan Gillanders <>
To: David James <>; Birding Aus 
<> 
Sent: Monday, 23 September 2013 8:48 AM
Subject: Boobook splits
  

David,
I find the statement, "I think it is unlikely that Reindt will recommend 
splitting lurida because the calls of lurida are indistinguishable from 
boobook," amazing in the part about the calls. I don't have the best of ears 
but they sure sound different to me. It has previously been suggested on 
this forum that as lurida will respond to the calls of boobook it is thus 
the same bird. For anyone chasing Rufous Owl in the Tolga Scrub, play Masked 
Owl to get a response from the Rufous.

The birds are different not only in their appearance but their behaviour 
too, or so it seems to me. Do the normal boobook do a bobbing dance in the 
tops of trees where they act like a jack in the box popping out in different 
directions while making weird gurgling noises?

Regards,
Alan


Alan's Wildlife Tours
2 Mather Road
Yungaburra 4884

Phone 07 4095 3784
Mobile 0408 953 786
http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/
-----Original Message----- 
From: David James
Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 8:29 AM
To: Birding Aus
Subject: Boobook splits

The IOC still treats Southern Boobook (Australian mainland) and Morepork 
(New Zeakand, Tasmania and formerly Norfolk) as 2 different species. It was 
recently discussed whether or not to split the Tasmanian form leucopsis from 
the NZ form novaeseelandiae, and split the Wet Tropics form lurida from the 
mainland form boobook. As a matter of process the IOC always places notices 
on the web site indicating POTENTIAL splits, lumps, name changes to 
encourage discussion and get feedback. In this case, the reason for the 
proposed split was to follow Howard & Moore. It turns out that there is not 
much evidence for support, so Frank Gill has decided to wait for further 
research that is underway by Frank Reindt et al. This could be some time 
away. I think it is unlikely that Reindt will recommend splitting lurida 
because the calls of lurida are indistinguishable from boobook. Not sure 
what is position is regarding leucopsis.

Anyway, this highlights that changes proposed on the IOC notifications pages 
are not set in stone UNTIL they are incorporated in a quarterly update of 
the checklist.


Cheers,
David James
Sydney
==============================
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