Is the Madagascar red owl extinct?

The Madagascar red owl, also known as Tyto soumagnei, is a rare owl that is endemic to Madagascar. This medium-sized owl has not been seen since 1993 and is feared to be extinct. In this article, we will explore the key facts about this elusive bird and examine whether it may still exist in remote parts of Madagascar.

Quick Facts About the Madagascar Red Owl

Here are some quick facts about the Madagascar red owl:

• Scientific name: Tyto soumagnei
• Other common names: Soumagne’s owl
• Description: Medium-sized owl with reddish-brown plumage and bright yellow eyes
• Length: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)
• Wingspan: 31-35 inches (80-90 cm)
• Habitat: Humid forests in eastern and northern Madagascar
• Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects
• Status: Critically Endangered, possibly extinct
• Last recorded sighting: 1993 in Makira Natural Park

History and Classification

The Madagascar red owl was first described scientifically in 1880 by British ornithologist Edward Newton, based on a single female specimen collected in Madagascar’s Analamazoatra Special Reserve. He named the owl Strix soumagnei.

In 1935, the species was reclassified under the genus Tyto, giving it the revised scientific name Tyto soumagnei. “Tyto” is the genus containing many of the world’s barn owls, while “soumagnei” honors French naturalist Mulsant Soumagne who contributed to studying the fauna of Madagascar.

For many years, the Madagascar red owl was considered to be a color variant of the widespread barn owl Tyto alba. It was not recognized as a distinct species until the 1930s, when more specimens revealed consistent physical differences from barn owls.

Physical Description

The Madagascar red owl is a medium-sized owl reaching 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) in length and a wingspan of 31-35 inches (80-90 cm). It has reddish-brown upperparts and buff-colored underparts with fine dark streaks. The facial disk is also reddish-brown with a buff border.

The eyes are yellowish-orange to bright yellow. The beak and legs are pale pinkish-brown. The toes are feathered. The wings are broad and rounded.

Compared to barn owls, the Madagascar red owl has a darker reddish coloration, more streaking on the underparts, and lighter legs and feet. Its calls are also very different, sounding more like a distant dog barking.

Distribution and Habitat

The Madagascar red owl is endemic to Madagascar, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. It is found only in the eastern and northern parts of the island.

Its natural habitat is humid rainforest up to about 6,500 feet (2,000 m) in elevation. It is also found in wooded savanna, melaleuca forests, and palm savannas. The owls roost in the dense vegetation during the day.

Most sightings have occurred in or near protected areas such as Marojejy National Park, Makira Natural Park, Masoala National Park, and Analamazoatra Special Reserve.

Diet and Hunting

Like most owl species, the Madagascar red owl is nocturnal and hunts at night for food. Its diet likely consists of small mammals such as tenrecs, rodents, and bats. It also eats birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects.

This owl probably hunts from a perch and swoops down on prey on the forest floor. Its hearing is acute and helps locate prey in the dark. The talons are sharp for seizing and carrying prey. It swallows smaller prey whole and tears larger prey into pieces.

Breeding and Lifespan

Very little is known about the breeding habits of the Madagascar red owl since so few nests have ever been found. Barn owls typically nest in cavities like tree hollows or crevices in cliffs and buildings. The Madagascar red owl likely nests in similar sites.

The clutch size is two to five eggs. The female incubates the eggs while the male brings her food. The eggs hatch after about 30 days with the chicks taking their first flights at around two months old.

Like other owl species, the Madagascar red owl is believed to mate for life. Its lifespan in the wild is unknown but probably reaches over 10 years if not threatened by predators or lack of habitat and food.

Conservation Status and Threats

The Madagascar red owl has a conservation status of Critically Endangered and is possibly extinct. It was always considered rare, but the population has declined from habitat loss and fragmentation.

Forests have been cleared for agriculture, timber, and development across much of Madagascar. This owl needs intact, undisturbed forests to survive. Predation from introduced species like cats may also play a role in its demise.

The most recent confirmed sighting was in 1993 in Makira Natural Park. Despite some reported calls and possible sightings since then, the species has not been definitively seen in over 25 years.

If any Madagascar red owls still exist, the population is tiny, likely less than 250 mature individuals. The species may already be extinct, but remote forests are difficult to survey, so hope remains that a few owls cling to survival.

Is the Madagascar Red Owl Extinct?

Given the lack of confirmed evidence over the past quarter century, most experts believe the Madagascar red owl is extinct. It has not been recorded with certainty at any site since 1993 despite extensive surveying of its former habitat.

Some unconfirmed reports exist of possible calls and sightings of the owl in Makira Natural Park in the early 2000s. But these have not been substantiated and are considered highly doubtful by scientists.

If not already extinct, the species inhabits such a small, remote territory that it is on the brink of extinction. Its habitat has been so degraded and fragmented that the remaining population is no longer viable for long-term survival.

The unknowns around the life history of the Madagascar red owl also make it vulnerable to extinction. With little data on key factors like breeding rates, lifespan, and diet, conservation efforts are restricted.

While extinction can never be fully confirmed until every last individual is gone, most experts today consider the Madagascar red owl to be extinct. It is considered one of the owl species made extinct in recent times due to human activities.

Table of Extinct Owl Species

Efforts to Re-discover the Species

Despite the bleak outlook, some efforts continue to potentially re-discover the Madagascar red owl. These include:

• Ongoing surveys of remote forests in northeast Madagascar by researchers and local guides
• Camera traps set up in Masoala and Makira Natural Parks to photograph wildlife
• Interviews with local residents to gather anecdotal sightings
• Birdwatching tours in the region that keep an eye out for the owl
• Sound analysis of recent possible calls to compare to historical owl recordings
• Habitat modeling of where the last individuals might persist

These efforts keep a faint glimmer of hope alive that a few Madagascar red owls might still haunt the depths of Madagascar’s rainforests. Most experts, however, resign themselves to the owl’s extinction and believe resources are better spent protecting other endangered endemic birds of Madagascar that cling to survival.

Legacy and Significance

While the Madagascar red owl appears to have tragically slid into extinction, it remains an icon of the island’s unique wildlife and the importance of forest conservation. This beautiful owl highlights the fragility of Madagascar’s endemic fauna.

Its hypothesized extinction serves as a cautionary tale of human-driven extinction. Habitat loss from deforestation ultimately led to the demise of this rare forest owl. Its story underscores the need to protect remaining habitat and find ways for humans and nature to co-exist sustainably.

The Madagascar red owl will be remembered as one of the most striking endemic birds of Madagascar. As one of the only owls in the world with reddish plumage, it occupied a unique branch on the owl evolutionary tree. Its likely disappearance forever impoverishes Madagascar’s biodiversity.

Yet even if the species is extinct, it may still have a positive impact if its story helps drive increased habitat protection and species conservation efforts. The legacy of the Madagascar red owl can inspire current and future generations to be better stewards of the world’s precious biodiversity.

Conclusion

The Madagascar red owl has not been definitively seen since 1993 and is likely extinct. Habitat loss and fragmentation of Madagascar’s eastern humid forests drove the decline of this rare and unique owl.

Some unconfirmed reports provide a glimmer of hope that a few owls may persist in remote regions. However, most experts believe the species is already gone from the planet forever.

While extinction is difficult to definitively prove, decades of surveys have produced no concrete evidence that the Madagascar red owl still survives. The story of its decline is a cautionary example of the vulnerabilities of island endemics to human activities.

This rare reddish owl will be remembered for its distinctive beauty and its place in Madagascar’s natural heritage. Even if extinct, the Madagascar red owl can help motivate future conservation to prevent other extinctions on this biodiverse island nation.