Surniinae Explained

Surniinae is a subfamily of the typical owls (Strigidae). First described by French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1838.^[1] The type genus is Surnia. Includes ten genera.

Classification

Surniinae includes ten genera (one extinct), from which five (Xenoglaux, Micrathene, Surnia, Uroglaux, Sceloglaux) are monotypic.

• Genus Xenoglaux — long-whiskered owlet
• Genus Micrathene — elf owl
• Genus Aegolius
• Genus Athene
• Genus Surnia
• Genus Glaucidium — pygmy owls
• Genus Ninox
• Genus Taenioptynx
• Genus Uroglaux — Papuan hawk-owl
• Genus †Sceloglaux — laughing owl

Further reading

The Auk . Salter . J.F. . Oliveros . C.H. . Hosner . P.A. . Manthey . J.D. . Robbins . M.B. . Moyle . R.G. . Brumfield . R.T. . Faircloth . B.C. . Extensive paraphyly in the typical owl family (Strigidae) . 2019 .

Notes and References

1. Book: Bonaparte . A geographical and comparative list of the birds of Europe and North America . J. Van Voorst . 1838 . London . 6.