Bird Guide

Brown Boobook vs Powerful Owl

Brown Boobook (Ninox scutulata)

Brown Boobook

Ninox scutulata

Medium191 gForest

The brown boobook is a medium-sized owl with a length of 32 cm (13 in). It has a hawk-like shape due to its long tail and lack of a distinct facial disk. The upperparts are dark brown, with a barred tail. The underparts are whitish with reddish-brown streaking, although the subspecies found in the Andaman Islands has dark brown underparts. The eyes are large and yellow. Sexes are similar. The call is a repeated low soft, musical oo-uk ...ooo-uk.. .

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Brown Boobook
Recorded by Manoj Karingamadathil · Call · Choorakkattukara, Thrissur, Kerala, India · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Gillam · CC BY 2.0
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)

Powerful Owl

Ninox strenua

Large1.3 kgForest

The powerful owl has a long tail and a small head, giving it an atypical silhouette for an owl and imparting a more hawk-like appearance than any other large owl. The protruding bill and distinct brow ridges enhance the hawk-like appearance of the species. The facial disc is ill-defined. The upper parts are dark grey-brown, mottled, and barred with whitish. The underparts are white with bold, grey-brown, V-shaped barring. The tail has six narrow white bars contrasting with grey-brown. Voice: The male powerful owl's song is an impressive low, rather mournful-sounding and far-carrying double-hoot, whoo-hooo, each note lasting a few seconds at least, broken up by a brief silence and the second note being usually higher pitched than the first. The female has a similar call, but has a higher-pitched voice. Duets are frequently heard at the onset of breeding.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ianrainbow · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brown Boobook and Powerful Owl.