Seram Boobook (Ninox squamipila) [XC122026]
by Gareth K. from Masihulan, Seram, Mauku, Indonesia (song)
Seram Boobook (Ninox squamipila) [XC122022]
by id from Masihulan, Seram, Mauku, Indonesia (song)
Subspecies
Ninox squamipila (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Seram Boobook (Ninox squamipila) and Christmas Island Hawk-Owl (Ninox natalis) following Norman et al. (1998).
Relationships unclear. Proposed treatment as member of species-group that includes Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook), Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae), Jungle Boobook (Ninox theomacha), Manus Boobook (Ninox meeki), Bismarck Boobook (Ninox variegata) and perhaps other boobooks in Australasian Region, or possibly with just Jungle Boobook (Ninox theomacha), Manus Boobook (Ninox meeki), Bismarck Boobook (Ninox variegata). Formerly included Christmas Island Hawk-Owl (Ninox natalis) as a subspecies, but latter now afforded full species status based on plumage details and molecular evidence. Subspecies are morphologically quite distinct, and there is some preliminary evidence that vocalizations also differ. More than one species may be involved.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
hypogramma (Gray, GR, 1861) - Halmahera, Ternate and Bacan group. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Halmahera Boobook (Ninox hypogramma).
hantu (Wallace, 1863) - Buru. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Buru Boobook (Ninox hantu).
squamipila (Bonaparte, 1850) - Seram.
forbesi P. L. Slater, 1883 - Tanimbar Is. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Tanimbar Boobook (Ninox forbesi).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet