10 new owl species discovered in Philippines
By Jakarata Globe
Scientists and birdwatchers have discovered 10 new owl species in the Philippines, using advanced recording equipment that can distinguish between their hoots, a conservation official said.
Eight of the new species were previously considered sub-species while two are totally new, said Lisa Paguntalan, field director of Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Programme.
“There is no significant variation in their forms. It was the sound difference of their calls that was very significant in distinguishing between species,” she told AFP.
Paguntalan warned that many of these new species were possibly endangered because they were found only in small isolated islands or in tiny pockets of forests.
Ornithologists and birdwatchers from Michigan State University, Birdlife International and other groups used museum samples and high-quality photography and recording systems to show the owls were of different species.
Owl outside my bedroom window last night woke me up at 3am. I wonder if BIH wants to get rid of them too?
How wonderful it is that there are still undiscovered species of wildlife. It makes me hope full knowing that we havnt learned everything there is to know about this amazing planet. I hope that my son will have the opportunity to discover new species of plants or animals if he wants to.
This is good news I think.