About the Sulu Boobook
The Sulu boobook or Sulu hawk-owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. It was previously known as a subspecies of the Philippine hawk-owl, but was reclassified in 2012, as voice and other evidence suggested it was a distinct species. It is found in tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Among the species complex, this owl is unique with its call of a series of clucks rather than the typical screeching of the other Philippine hawk-owls in the species complex. It is distinguished by the heavy barring on its head and belly, white throat-patch and facial disk. It is medium-sized at 20 cm tall, along with the Mindoro boobook within Philippine hawk-owl species complex. This is in between the larger Camiguin boobook, Romblon boobook and Cebu boobook at 25 cm and the smaller Luzon boobook and Mindanao boobook, which are 15 to 18 cm tall.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Togian BoobookNinox burhaniThe Togian boobook or Togian hawk-owl is an owl (Strigidae) described as new to science in 2004.
New Ireland BoobookNinox variegataThe New Ireland boobook or New Ireland hawk owl also known as the Bismarck boobook, Bismarck hawk owl or barred boobook, is a small to medium-sized owl measuring 25 to 30 cm in length.
Manus BoobookNinox meekiThe Manus boobook, Manus hawk owl, Admiralty hawk owl or Admiralty Islands hawk owl is a small owl.
Learn the Sulu Boobook for real
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