Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Status LC
Habitat destruction through logging and conversion to agriculture in the main threat. Introduced mammalian predators may also compete for nesting hollows.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Wallace's Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles wallacii) [XC268314]
by Iain Woxvold from Kwatu Lodge (clearing location), Ketu River (Elevala River tributary), Western Province, Papua New Guinea (call)
Wallace's Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles wallacii) [XC386025]
by Daniel Lopez Velasco from Kwatu Lodge, Ketu River (Elevala River tributary), Western Province, Papua New Guinea (call)
Subspecies
Subspecies gigas has been proposed as a distinct species on basis of its considerably larger size and its montane rather than predominantly lowland range, but this treatment countered by the fact that manni is of intermediate size and occupies an intermediate altitudinal range. Recent studies show that the three subspecies differ significantly only in size.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
wallacii Gray, 1859 - New Guinea in Vogelkop and along southern side of Central Ranges east to Karimui; Aru Is.
gigas Rothschild, 1931 - Weyland Mts (western New Guinea).
manni Diamond, 1969 - Northern Coastal Range of New Guinea (Mt Menawa, Mt Turu).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet