Southern Boobook

SPECIES Southern Boobook
TAXONOMY Ninox novaeseelandiae
STATUS Least Concern (Redlist)

The Southern Boobook is the smallest and most common species of ‘hawk owl’ and closely resembles the Barking Owl in colouring and patterns. However the differences between them are that the Southern Boobook has spots rather than streaks on the underbody.  It is sometimes called a ‘Mopoke’ although there is dispute over the use of this name and whether the ‘Mopoke’ is a separate species.

Distribution and Habitat
Southern Boobooks have the widest range of habitats among Australian owls. They can be found in a variety of environments across the Australian mainland, Tasmania, New Zealand, and surrounding islands. They prefer to build their nests in tree hollows however they will adapt in regions where access is limited. Nests have been found in small caves in treeless environments. 

Feeding
Being carnivorous and nocturnal in line with other owls species, the Southern Boobook will hunt whatever food source that is available in the environment that they live. They essentially look for anything that moves that is of a size that they can swallow whole. They will perch and pounce or catch in mid-air. The variety allows opportunity, and this is one reason why they have flourished across different environments.

Behaviour
They have a distinctive, repetitive two note call that sounds like ‘boo-book’. Sometimes it is repeated as often as 20 calls per minute. They are often heard before they are seen.

They spend their days perching on a low protected branch to avoid predators. When threatened, they sit upright to appear long and slender. They are frequently scolded by small birds alerting others to their presence. While hunting, their flight feathers allow them to fly silent and to sneak up on their prey. They are well adapted to hunting at night with large eyes and a keen sense of hearing.

Their habit of perching on a low branch has caused some grief from human activity. Mistaken as injured, people have attempted to rescue them only to find this action chases them further up the tree. However this is their natural behaviour and has been the case well before mankind’s interference.

Appearance
Adult plumage is a dark chocolate-brown above with a rufous-brown underbody with white spots. The facial disc has large dark patches behind each eye. Their eyes are large and a greenish yellow. Females are larger than their male counterparts. The young have buff-white underbodies with a dark facial disk.

There are dramatic differences in plumage across the various regions where they are found. They are more pale in dry, hot climates; and darker in wet regions.

Reproduction
Preferring tree hollows, nests are often lined with wood shavings or leaves. The female will lay a clutch of two or three eggs; and she alone will incubate them for 35 days. Once hatched, the chick will be fed by both parents. 

Threats
The Southern Boobook has adapted well in a variety of environments. However continual displacement through the destruction of natural habitat brings challenges to localised populations. They are also falling victim to introduced predatory threats from domestic animals because of their familiarity with human encroachment. 

Updated 5 May 2021