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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