Rufous owl

Rufous owl
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox
Species:
N. rufa
Binomial name
Ninox rufa
(Gould, 1846)

The rufous owl (Ninox rufa), also known as the rufous boobook, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It was described in 1846 by John Gould, an English ornithologist. Its common name reflects the rufous-coloured feathers that these owls are covered with in adulthood. While it is uncommon, the species has a wide range, including Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.[3]

The rufous owl is a large owl species, ranging in weight from 700 to 1,700 g (25 to 60 oz), depending on sex and age. It is only slightly smaller than the largest owl in Australia, the powerful owl (Ninox strenua), which typically weighs between 1,050 and 1,700 g (37 and 60 oz).[4] The rufous owl is a generalist nocturnal predator and generally solitary. It is seldom aggressive to humans except in situations in which it feels its nest or offspring are threatened.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Ninox rufa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22689385A93229356. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22689385A93229356.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ^ Kanowski, J. (1998). "The abundance of the rufous owl Ninox rufa in upland and highland rainforests of north-east Queensland." Emu 98: 58-61.
  4. ^ Estbergs, J.A.; Braithwaite, Richard W. (1985). "The diet of the rufous owl Ninox rufa near Cooinda in the Northern Territory". Short Communications. Emu. 85 (3): 202–05. doi:10.1071/MU9850202. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.