© Phillip Edwards
© Stephan Lorenz
© Mick Greene
© Mehd Halaouate

Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha

Sign in to see your badges

Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

The commonest owl from lowland and montane forest and edge. Fairly small, with dark brown back and rich chocolate brown chest. Short, pale eyebrows forming a V-shape. Birds in some areas have broad white streaks on the belly and white flecking on the back. Often catches flying insects from a perched position. Told from the other co-occuring New Guinea Owls by the smaller size and lack of strong streaks or bars. Call a double, downslurred “hooo-hooo!” with a gravely quality, repeated at intervals.

POWERED BY MERLIN