Like many of the Mascarene land-birds, the genus was a distinct relative to South-East Asian taxa, in this case apparently being a descendant of the direct ancestor of the Oriental scops owl. This insular scops owl had evolved gigantism, becoming twice as large and four times heavier than its continental ancestor.
This genus was distinct from other Mascarene land birds, sharing a common ancestor with South-East Asian taxa, specifically the Oriental scops owl. The insular scops owl in this case exhibited gigantism, growing significantly larger and heavier than its continental ancestor.