Christmas Island Hawk-owl

N. natalis is endemic to Christmas Island, a small Australian territory of about 135 square km situated in the Indian Ocean approximately 360 km south of Java. The flora and fauna of the island face on-going threats from both human activity and introduced species of plants and animals. In addition to these threats, N. natalis is restricted to a small range on this small island and is consequently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Phosphate mining has continued for over a century and more recently Australian Immigration Detention Facilities have been established increasing the impact from human habitation. However, the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service manage 64% of the island as a national park.

Man-made habitat destruction together with the introduction of species such as the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracillipes), cats (Felis catus) and black rats are among the major threats to both the habitat and native wildlife, including the Christmas Island hawk-owl. The yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, an invasive introduction, disrupts the habitat in a number of ways, but most notably through their elimination of populations of the island's keystone species the red crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) resulting in significant changes to forest composition. In addition, the ants mutually-beneficial relationship with scale insects has contributed to degradation of the canopy. It is thought that yellow crazy ants may also prey on nestlings. While mining has largely ended, various programmes to monitor and control introduced species are on-going.