New Britain Boobook
Ninox odiosa
The New Britain Boobook (Ninox odiosa) is a legendary owl found only in Papua New Guinea, weighing about 209 g. The New Britain boobook, also known as the spangled boobook, russet boobook, New Britain hawk-owl or russet hawk-owl, is a small owl that is endemic to New Britain, the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea.





About the New Britain Boobook
The New Britain boobook, also known as the spangled boobook, russet boobook, New Britain hawk-owl or russet hawk-owl, is a small owl that is endemic to New Britain, the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The New Britain boobook is a small owl that grows to a length of about 22 cm (9 in). It has finely spotted chocolate-brown plumage, golden eyes and white eyebrows. Its facial disk is brown while the upper breast is marked with a wide brown band with buff or white barrings. The underparts are densely spotted brown. Its call is a series of rapidly repeated "whoo"s, starting at a low pitch which rises and becomes faster and louder.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in August. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a New Britain Boobook?
- The New Britain boobook is a small owl that grows to a length of about 22 cm (9 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a New Britain Boobook?
- The New Britain Boobook is a medium sized bird weighing about 209 g.
- Where can you see a New Britain Boobook?
- The New Britain Boobook is endemic to Papua New Guinea, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a New Britain Boobook?
- The New Britain Boobook is most easily confused with the Cebu Boobook, the Tanimbar Boobook and the Little Sumba Boobook.
- Is the New Britain Boobook endangered?
- The New Britain Boobook is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the New Britain Boobook for real
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