Australian Boobook

The Australian boobook (Ninox boobook) is the smallest owl found on the Australian mainland. It has a length ranging from 27 to 36 cm, with a dark brown plumage adorned with pale spots. Its eyes are a striking grey-green or yellow-green, and it lacks the ear tufts seen in other owl species. The facial disk is paler, framed by a white supercilium, and the underparts are a lighter cream or buff, streaked with brown.

Identification Tips

This owl can be identified by its compact silhouette in flight, short rounded wings, and short tail. The lack of ear tufts, pale facial disk with a white eyebrow, and dark brown ear coverts and cheeks are distinctive. The underparts are brown with white spots and dark blue-grey bases. The eyes are grey-green to yellow-green, and the bill is black with a pale blue-grey base.

Habitat

The Australian boobook inhabits a variety of environments, including eucalypt forests, open woodland, scrubland, and semi-desert areas. It has adapted to human-altered landscapes and can be found in farmland and suburban areas with scattered trees.

Distribution

This species is native to mainland Australia, southern New Guinea, Timor, and the Sunda Islands. It is widespread across Australia but is less common in arid regions.

Behaviour

The Australian boobook is mainly nocturnal, sometimes active at dawn and dusk. It roosts in secluded spots within dense foliage during the day. Known for its characteristic two-tone boo-book call, it is more often heard than seen, especially during the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The boo-book call can be heard up to a kilometer away, with the second note typically lower in pitch. Males have a higher-pitched and shorter call than females. They also emit croaking or grunting sounds during courtship and when bringing food to the nest.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from late winter to early summer, with the owl nesting in tree hollows. The female lays two to three white eggs and incubates them alone, while the male provides food.

Similar Species

The Australian boobook may be confused with the barking owl or the rare brown boobook (Ninox scutulata). However, it is distinguished by its squat posture and the distinctive pale border of its face mask.

Diet and Feeding

This owl preys on insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally birds the size of a house sparrow. It hunts by pouncing from tree perches and often uses fences or poles as vantage points.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the Australian boobook as being of least concern due to its large range and stable population. However, there is concern about secondary poisoning from rodenticides in developed habitats.