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Owlet-nightjar bones

Owlet-nightjar bones

Shared by Cromwell Museum

Bones identified as being from the extinct New Zealand owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles novazealandiae) that were uncovered and subsequently excavated from a rock cleft above the former railway station near Cromwell during the construction of roading for the Clyde Dam project 1979-1981. The bones were excavated by Dr N Ritchie (M0W archaeologist) from what became known as the Station Deposit. The New Zealand owlet-nightjar is known only from isolated bones and partial skeletons, but reconstructions show an upright stance, a facial-disk and forward facing eyes, small bill with a large gape, relatively small wings, and long legs. The New Zealand owlet-nightjar was probably extinct by the 13th Century due to predation by the Pacific rat. [Notes from www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz]

Ngā whakamārama -
Details

  • Title

    Owlet-nightjar bones

  • Contributor

    Dr N Ritchie, Ministry of Works

  • Date made

    1981/01/21

  • Subject

    Cromwell history, Archaeology, Animals & birds

  • Additional information

    a. L 45mm x W 5mm and narrower in the middle b. L 37mm x W 9mm at one end 6mm at the other (in two pieces) c. L 20mm x W 6mm

  • Rights

    All rights reserved

  • View source record for this item

    https://ehive.com/collections/5984/objects/2228156

Kei hea tēnei taonga? -
Where is this item held?

  • Additional information including high resolution images may be available.

  • Location

    47 The Mall CROMWELL 9310

Whare taonga | Organisation

Cromwell Museum

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  • You must check with Cromwell Museum to confirm terms of use and any attribution requirements, but this is our understanding:

  • Use for private study, research, criticism, review, or education

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  • Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ

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