Ninox Boobook Ocellata
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

''Ninox boobook ocellata'' is a
subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
of the
Australian boobook The Australian boobook (''Ninox boobook''), is a species of owl native to mainland Australia, southern New Guinea, the island of Timor, and the Sunda Islands. Described by John Latham (ornithologist), John Latham in 1801, it was generally consid ...
, which is also widely known as the southern boobook. The southern boobook is the most common and smallest
owl Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes (), which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers a ...
on the Australian mainland. The subspecies is characterised by its lighter colour than other subspecies, and is generally found in a wide range of habitats (adapting very well to human activities). Ocellata is the smallest of the boobook subspecies as it is found in the warmer western parts of Australia (north-western
New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...
/western Queensland across to
Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...
). although it is not found in arid areas. The boobook can be commonly known as the 'mopoke' due to its call (double hoot 'boo-book'). This owl is commonly mixed up with the
barking owl The barking owl or barking boobook (''Ninox connivens''), also known as the winking owl, is a nocturnal bird species native to mainland Australia and parts of New Guinea and the Moluccas. They are a medium-sized brown owl and have a characteris ...
due to their similar appearance; however, the boobook is a fair amount smaller. The boobook feeds on insects and small
vertebrate Vertebrates () are animals with a vertebral column (backbone or spine), and a cranium, or skull. The vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord, while the cranium protects the brain. The vertebrates make up the subphylum Vertebra ...
s (usually around the size of a mouse).


Physical description

The ''ocellata'' subspecies of southern boobook differs from other subspecies in its
plumage Plumage () is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, there can b ...
colouring, which is lighter than the mainland birds. southern boobooks have brown plumage on their backs and cream to
rufous Rufous () is a color that may be described as reddish-brown or brownish- red, as of rust or oxidised iron. The first recorded use of ''rufous'' as a color name in English was in 1782. However, the color is also recorded earlier in 1527 as a d ...
brown stomachs, often heavily streaked or spotted with white, they have markings on the
scapulars The scapula (: scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on either side ...
and spots on the wings. All boobooks have a 'facial mask' with dark chocolate brown circles around the eyes, these circles are outlined by lighter triangle shaped areas on the throat and forehead. The eyes are large and grey-green or yellow, and the bill grey. Being the smallest species of owl on the Australian mainland the boobook weighs in at 200–300 g, smaller birds being found in warmer areas (ocellata tends to be smaller), and measuring 27–37 cm in length. Boobooks are often confused with the barking owl; however, the easiest way to differentiate is by size, the boobook is a fair bit smaller. Mayr found that colour in southern boobooks may directly correlate with rainfall, with the paler species being found in areas of lower rainfall, indicating the
semi arid A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of sem ...
regions of Australia (the range of the ocellata subspecies).Mayr, Ernst (1943). "Notes on Australian Birds (II)". Emu 43 (1): 3–17.


Call

The boobook has a very distinctive double hoot 'boo-book' with the second note being lower. This call has earned it the common name of 'mopoke'.


Distribution and habitat

Subspecies ocellata tends to inhabit the warmer areas of Australia, from north-western New South Wales/western
Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
spanning across to Western Australia, although it is rarely found in the more arid regions. The boobook is found in a wide variety of habitats, from
semi-arid A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a aridity, dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below Evapotranspiration#Potential evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, but not as l ...
areas, to
scrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominance (ecology), dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbaceous plant, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally o ...
, open woodland and forests. This species has adapted to human influence very well, being found in any area where there are scattered trees (such as suburban areas or farmland).


Diet

The boobook is predominantly a
nocturnal Nocturnality is a ethology, behavior in some non-human animals characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatur ...
hunter, although morning and afternoon hunts can occasionally occur (on dull or overcast days). The boobook feeds on small vertebrates and insects (generally nocturnal species of insect and small vertebrates approximately the size of a mouse) with prey being located by observation from a high perch, the boobook can catch prey both aerially and on land.


Breeding

The southern boobook breeds from September until February, with peak breeding happening in October. They nest in tree hollows high above the ground, and line nests with leaves and small twigs. Clutch sizes range from 3–5 eggs and are incubated for a period of approximately 31 days, and have a nesting period of 42 days, females incubate the eggs alone yet both sexes assist with feeding. Little is known about the life span of these birds; however, it is known that they reach breeding age at 2–3 years of age. The last recorded life span of a pure subspecies of southern boobook was at least 12 years of age, with hybrid individuals reaching a recorded 18 years of age.


References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q24896797, from2=Q27610694 Ninox Endemic birds of Australia