Ninox boobook ocellata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ninox boobook ocellata |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Ninox |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
N. b. ocellata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Ninox boobook ocellata (Bonaparte, 1850)
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Meet the Ninox boobook ocellata, a special type of Australian boobook owl! It's a unique group within the larger Australian boobook family. People often call the Australian boobook the southern boobook. This owl is the most common and smallest owl living on the Australian mainland.
The ocellata subspecies is known for its lighter feathers compared to other boobooks. It's super adaptable and can live in many different places, even near people! Since it's found in warmer western parts of Australia, it tends to be the smallest boobook subspecies. You won't usually find it in very dry, desert-like areas.
You might hear this owl called a 'mopoke'. This fun name comes from its special double hoot call, which sounds like 'boo-book'. Sometimes, people confuse the boobook with the barking owl because they look similar. However, the boobook is quite a bit smaller. This little owl mostly eats insects and small animals, usually about the size of a mouse.
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What Does the Boobook Owl Look Like?
The ocellata subspecies has lighter feathers than other boobook owls found on the mainland. Southern boobooks have brown feathers on their backs. Their stomachs are creamy or reddish-brown, often with many white streaks or spots. They also have special markings on their shoulders and spots on their wings.
All boobooks have a unique 'facial mask'. This means they have dark chocolate-brown circles around their eyes. Lighter, triangle-shaped areas on their throat and forehead outline these circles. Their eyes are large and can be grey-green or yellow. Their beak is grey.
Being the smallest owl in mainland Australia, the boobook weighs about 200 to 300 grams. Smaller birds are often found in warmer places, like the ocellata subspecies. They measure about 27 to 37 centimeters long. If you're trying to tell a boobook from a barking owl, remember the boobook is much smaller!
Scientists have noticed that the color of southern boobooks might depend on how much rain an area gets. Paler owls, like the ocellata, are often found in places with less rainfall. This includes the semi-arid (partially dry) regions of Australia where the ocellata subspecies lives.
The Boobook's Special Call
The boobook owl has a very clear and unique double hoot. It sounds like 'boo-book', with the second note being lower than the first. This distinctive call is why many people commonly call it the 'mopoke'.
Where Do Boobook Owls Live?
The ocellata subspecies prefers the warmer parts of Australia. You can find it from north-western New South Wales and western Queensland, all the way across to Western Australia. However, it's rare to find them in the very dry, desert-like regions.
Boobook owls live in many different types of places. These include semi-arid areas, scrubland, open woodlands, and forests. These owls are very good at living near people. You can often find them in suburban areas or on farmland, as long as there are some scattered trees around.
What Do Boobook Owls Eat?
Boobook owls are mostly nighttime hunters. They hunt for food when it's dark outside. Sometimes, they might hunt in the morning or afternoon, especially on cloudy days. The boobook mainly eats insects and small animals. These are usually nocturnal insects and small animals about the size of a mouse.
The owl finds its prey by watching from a high spot, like a tree branch. It can catch its food both in the air and on the ground.
Boobook Owl Reproduction and Life Cycle
Southern boobooks usually breed from September to February. The busiest time for breeding is in October. They build their nests inside hollows in tall trees, high above the ground. They line these nests with leaves and small twigs to make them cozy.
A female boobook usually lays 3 to 5 eggs. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm for about 31 days. After the eggs hatch, the young owls stay in the nest for about 42 days. Only the female owl incubates the eggs. However, both the male and female owls help feed the baby owls.
Scientists don't know much about how long these birds live. But we do know that they can start having their own babies when they are 2 or 3 years old. The longest recorded life span for a pure southern boobook was at least 12 years. Some owls that were a mix of different subspecies lived even longer, up to 18 years!
