Conservation Status: Least Concern
Distribution: Mainland Australia and some surrounding islands
Habitat: Wide range of habitats from eucalyptus forests and open woodland to scrubland and semi-desert areas
Diet: Mainly insects but also small mammals and small birds
Size (head to tail): 27 - 36cm (8.7-9.4in)
Weight: 145 - 360g (0.3-0.8lbs)
Activity Cycle: Crepuscular
Threats: Mainly predation from other owls and birds of prey, though habitat loss and fragmentation is thought to be a threat in some areas of their range

The Australian Boobook owl is Australia's smallest and most common owl species, deriving its name from the distinctive "boo-book" call it makes! There are seven recognised subspecies of Australian boobook owls, found across Australasia. They are part of a larger owl family called the "Ninox" or "Hawk-owls", due to their hawk-like appearance, found across Asia and Australia. It nests in eucalyptus tree cavities up to twenty metres above the ground. The male lines the base of the hollow with leaves. 2-3 white oval eggs are laid and incubated for one month. Chicks leave the nest five to six weeks after hatching and will live in their parents' territory for a further two to four months before dispersing.

Did you Know? Its name is derived from its “boo-book” call. This sound is sometimes written as “mopoke”, which is the namesake of the incredibly similar morepork owl of New Zealand. Australian boobooks also make a repetitive croaking or grunting call while courting or mating, and can switch from croaks to hoots seamlessly.

Our Boobook Owl is named Widget!

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