New Zealand owlet-nightjar facts for kids

The New Zealand owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles novazelandiae) was a quite large bird that is now extinct. It belonged to the owlet-nightjar family called Aegothelidae. This bird was only found in the islands of New Zealand.

Scientists have found many fossil remains of this bird. These fossils, often found in the old nests of the extinct laughing owl, show that the New Zealand owlet-nightjar once lived all over both the North Island and the South Island. Even though there were a few reports of small owls in the 1800s that might have been this species, it's believed that the New Zealand owlet-nightjar probably died out around the year 1200 AD.

About the New Zealand Owlet-Nightjar

The New Zealand owlet-nightjar was the biggest type of owlet-nightjar. It weighed about 150 to 200 grams, which is similar to a small apple. This bird couldn't fly well, or maybe not at all, because it had small wings and a very strong chest bone (called a keel).

Its diet likely included invertebrates like insects and worms, as well as small frogs and lizards.

Why Did It Disappear?

This bird died out quickly after Pacific rats were brought to New Zealand by early human settlers. These rats were an introduced species and likely hunted the owlet-nightjars and their eggs.

Scientists haven't found the bones of the New Zealand owlet-nightjar in old Māori rubbish piles. This suggests that Māori people probably didn't hunt them much. This is likely because the birds were small and were active at night, making them hard to find and catch.

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  In Spanish: Egoleto de Nueva Zelanda para niños