ID Keys: Hawk-like structure, no obvious facial disks, dark brown
overall, barred tail, light plumage below with brown streaks
The
Northern Boobook (also known as the Brown Hawk Owl) is a unique looking owl of
southern Asia, with a normal range from India eastward to Indonesia and
southern China. They are known in North America only by a pair of
records, both in Alaskan islands, where a bird was photographed on St. Paul
Island in 2007, and a dead bird was found on Kiska Island in 2008. The name
"Brown Hawk Owl" refers to the very hawk-like appearance of the species,
with a longer tail and more upright, slender appearance than most owls.
Habitat
Found in forested habitats, including lowland rainforests, mangrove swamps, and also wooded urban areas and parks.
Diet
Feeds on frogs, lizards, small birds, small rodents, and large insects.
Behavior
Nocturnal, hunting only at night. When found on their daytime perches, they usually stretch their bodies as thin as possible and remain motionless, in an attempt to remain hidden.
Nesting
The nest of a Northern Boobook is in the cavity of a tree. The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs. The female alone incubates the eggs, with the male bringing food during the incubation period. Both parents feed the young once they hatch. The young fledge after about 4 weeks.
Song
Call of a Northern Boobook is a soft ooo-ook , repeated a number of times.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident throughout their range.
Interactive eBird map
Click here for an interactive eBird map of Northern Boobook sightings
Similar Species
Not likely to be confused with another species if one should again stray to North America.
Conservation Status
Populations appear to be stable, and the IUCN lists the Northern Boobook as a species of "least concern".
Photo Information
Photo taken by Vijay Anand Ismavel - May 20th, 2013 - Makunda Christian Hospital, Karimganj District, Assam, India - Photo licensed under Creative CommonsAttribution Non-Commercial ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.
