Ninox boobook ocellata

Ninox boobook ocellata
Picture of a Ninox boobook ocellata sitting on a large fallen branch.
N. b. ocellata, Central Australia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox
Species:
N. boobook
Subspecies:
N. b. ocellata
Trinomial name
Ninox boobook ocellata
(Bonaparte, 1850)

Ninox boobook ocellata is a subspecies of the Australian boobook, which is also widely known as the southern boobook. The southern boobook is the most common and smallest owl on the Australian mainland.[1]

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/western Queensland across to Western Australia).[2] although it is not found in arid areas.[1]

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 due to their similar appearance; however, the boobook is a fair amount smaller. The boobook feeds on insects and small vertebrates (usually around the size of a mouse).[3]

  1. ^ a b Olsen, Jerry (2011). "What is a Southern Boobook". Australian High Country Owls. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO. pp. 15–17. ISBN 9780643104112.
  2. ^ Simpson, Ken; Day, Nicolas (2010). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (8th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Penguin Group. p. 156. ISBN 9780670072316.
  3. ^ König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm; Becking, Jan-Hendrik (2009). Owls of the World. A&C Black. pp. 457–59. ISBN 9781408108840.