Northern Boobook
A species of Asian and Australasian Hawk-owls and Boobooks Scientific name : Ninox japonica Genus : Asian and Australasian Hawk-owls and Boobooks
Northern Boobook, A species of Asian and Australasian Hawk-owls and Boobooks
Botanical name: Ninox japonica
Genus: Asian and Australasian Hawk-owls and Boobooks
Content
Description General Info
Description
Ninox japonica is a hawk owl species with a body length averaging between 29 and 33 cm and a wingspan of approximately 60 to 70 cm wide. Current knowledge on the species shows no sexual dimorphism and an average weight of approximately 168g. The northern boobook has a hawk-like appearance and its subspecies are practically undistinguishable. Individuals of the species will have a brown back and wings with lighter brown horizontal streaks on the tail feathers. The neck, crown and face of this bird are slightly more greyish brown aside from a small white patch above the beak. It has striking yellow gold eyes, a black beak and yellow talons. Its belly is almost completely white aside from rust-colored specs, which bare similarity to its sister species the brown boobook (N. scutulata). Aside from mitochondrial distinction, research has determined that subspecies of Ninox japonica, N. japonica totogo and N. japonica japonica, can be differentiated through the shorter wing chord (214-217mm) and the longer tail (118mm) of N. totogo. This has been hypothesized to be an adaption due to the migratory nature of N. j. totogo. 
Size
29 - 33 cm
Feeding Habits
Northern Boobook primarily feeds on invertebrates, insects, small vertebrates, including lizards and bats, and occasionally smaller birds. Its hunting technique involves nocturnal foraging, utilizing acute vision and hearing to detect prey. Northern Boobook exhibits unique dietary preferences, such as occasionally incorporating birds into its varied diet.
Habitat
Lowland deciduous forests with tall trees, wooded parks and gardens, conifers and mixed forests, shrines, temples
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
Its habitat mainly consists of low altitude deciduous forests with thick vegetation and it will typically create its nest within trees, where they are practically indiscernible. These boobooks are also rarely seen reusing their nesting sites. These birds have also been identified in wooded parks, gardens and residential areas. They will typically winter in rainforests south of their summer home range and can occasionally be found in mixed or coniferous forests. Siberia and most of Southeastern Asia make up the geographical distribution of Ninox japonica. The migrant N. j. japonica will occupy the majority of this range, whereas N. j. totogo will inhabit the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan year-round. Specifically, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines will be common wintering territories for N. j. japonica, and Southern and Central China, Korea, Japan and Siberia encompass its breeding and summering ranges. Both subspecies of N. Japonica have also been recorded to occasionally coexist in Taiwan.
Species Status
There are no global trends of Ninox japonica population declines and its conservation status is of least concern according to the IUCN Red list. This being said, very little information is available on their population size across their geographic range.
Scientific Classification
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