Grallistrix orion

Description:

Oahu Stilt-owlEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, extinct)Oahu, unspecified locationAn extinct long-legged owl that hunted small birds. Many remains of extinct and extant Passeriformes (perching birds) have been found in owl pellets, including palila (Loxioides bailleui) which today is restricted to some of the high elevation mmane/naio forests of Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island. However, palila once occurred in the lowland dry (coastal) forests of Oahu, Kauai and perhaps all of the other main Hawaiian Islands. ("Extinct Birds of Hawaii," Michael Walther & Julian Hume. 2016.; "The Hawaiian Honeycreeper," H. Douglas Pratt. 2005.)The late Alan C. Ziegler (1926-2003), zoologist, identified these few priceless bones for me in 1992 with his notes.And yeah, admittedly not the most striking of photos posted. But, this is an important part of the ancient natural history of the Hawaiian Islands that needs to be shared with all.EtymologyThe generic name Grallistrix means "owl on stilts."The genus contains four extinct species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands:Grallistrix auceps or Kauai Stilt-owlGrallistrix erdmani or Maui Stilt-owlGrallistrix geleches or Molokai Stilt-owlGrallistrix orion or Oahu Stilt-owl