AUSTRALIAN BOOBOOK

The Australian Boobook is a species of owl native to Australia and some surrounding islands. It is also commonly referred to as the Southern Boobook or Morepork. This owl species belongs to the family Strigidae, which is the typical owl family.

The Australian Boobook is a medium-sized owl, with adults typically ranging from 30 to 36 cm in length. They have a brownish plumage that provides excellent camouflage in their woodland habitats. The plumage is mottled with darker and lighter shades, helping them blend into tree bark and foliage.

These owls are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, shrublands, and urban areas. They are often observed near human settlements, as they are known to inhabit parks and gardens.

 As is typical of most owl species, the Australian Boobook is primarily nocturnal. They are most active during the night, hunting for their prey which primarily consists of insects, small mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles.

The call of the Australian Boobook is a distinctive “boo-book” or “more-pork,” which gives rise to its common names. The male and female may engage in a duet, with the female’s call being slightly higher in pitch.

These owls breed from August to December. You may hear them calling for a mate during the long winter nights, but the official breeding season does not start until spring.

They construct their nests in tree hollows or other suitable cavities. A clutch of 2 to 3 eggs is laid, and the female incubates them for about a month. The chicks fledge after several weeks.

It’s worth noting that the Australian boobook has various subspecies and can exhibit some regional variations in appearance and behavior.