Laughing owl genus "Sceloglaux" as previously thought, but instead belong to the genus "Ninox". The analysis indicated that the laughing owl may be a sister taxon to the "Ninox" clade containing the barking owl, Sumba boobook, and morepork, the latter of which shared New Zealand with the laughing owl. The laughing owl's plumage was yellowish-brown striped with dark brown. White straps were on the scapulars, and occasionally the hind neck. Mantle feathers were edged with white. The wings and tail had light-brown bars. The tarsus had yellowish to reddish-buff feathers. The facial disc was white behind and below the eyes, fading to
Anatomical terms of bone a condyle, particularly the medial epicondyle of the humerus. These terms derive from Greek. An "eminence" refers to a relatively small projection or bump, particularly of bone, such as the medial eminence. A "process" refers to a relatively large projection or prominent bump, as does a "promontory" such as the sacral promontory. Both "tubercle" and "tuberosity" refer to a projection or bump with a roughened surface, with a "tubercle" generally smaller than a "tuberosity". These terms are derived from "Tuber" (). A "ramus" () refers to an extension of bone, such as the ramus of the mandible in the jaw