Subspeciation in the Rufous owl Ninox rufa (Gould)

Abstract

Geographical variation in size and in colours of plumage is analysed in Ninox rufa. Australian populations are regrouped in three subspecies, one pale and large in north-western Australia (nominate rufa), one pale and small on Cape York Peninsula (to which the new name meesi is given) and one dark and of medium size in north-eastern Queensland south of Cape York Peninsula (queenslandica Mathews). All subspecies are re-described.