Northern Boobook

The Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica), a member of the true owl family Strigidae, is a raptorial bird with a hawk-like visage. It has an average body length of 29 to 33 cm and a wingspan stretching from 60 to 70 cm. The species exhibits a brown plumage with lighter horizontal streaks on the tail, a greyish-brown head, and a distinctive white patch above the beak. Its eyes are a striking yellow gold, complemented by a black beak and yellow talons. The underparts are predominantly white with rust-colored speckles.

Identification Tips

To identify the Northern Boobook, look for its hawk-like appearance, yellow gold eyes, and the small white patch above its beak. The belly's white coloration with rust-colored specks is also a key feature. Subspecies can be differentiated by the shorter wing chord and longer tail of N. j. totogo.

Habitat

The Northern Boobook favors low altitude deciduous forests with dense vegetation for nesting. It is also found in wooded parks, gardens, and residential areas, and winters in rainforests south of its summer range.

Distribution

This species is endemic to eastern and southern Asia, with the migratory N. j. japonica subspecies ranging from Siberia to Southeast Asia, and the non-migrant N. j. totogo residing year-round in the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan.

Behaviour

The Northern Boobook is a nocturnal predator, hunting from a perch and swooping down to capture prey either in midair or from the ground. It is a generalist in its foraging habits, preying mainly on invertebrates and occasionally on vertebrates.

Song & Calls

Breeding individuals vocalize with deep ho-hos during their reproductive periods. These calls are rarely heard outside of the breeding season or in regions where the species is a migrant or winter resident.

Breeding

The sedentary N. j. totogo begins breeding activities in January, with incubation lasting around 28 days from early March to April. Females lay 3 to 4 eggs and incubate them alone. Juveniles fledge in May after about 26 days in the nest. The migratory N. j. japonica starts breeding later, in April, with a shorter breeding season.

Similar Species

The Northern Boobook is similar to its sister species, the Brown Boobook (N. scutulata), but can be distinguished by its vocalizations and mitochondrial differences.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, with occasional small birds, lizards, and bats. The species is a generalist hunter, capturing prey from a perch.

Conservation status

The Northern Boobook is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, with no significant global population declines reported. However, detailed information on population size is lacking.