Ninox plesseni
The Alor Boobook (Ninox plesseni) is a medium-sized owl, measuring approximately 23-28 cm (9-11 inches) in length, characterized by its compact body and lack of prominent ear tufts. Its plumage features dark brown upperparts contrasting with rufous-brown underparts that are broadly streaked with dark markings. Bright yellow eyes stand out against an indistinct facial disc, which is less defined than in many other owl species. A key field mark for identification is its strict endemism to Alor ...
Found in primary and secondary moist evergreen forests, forest edges, and even cultivated areas with scattered trees, from sea level up to at least 1000 meters in elevation.
Primarily consumes large insects such as beetles and moths, supplemented by small vertebrates including geckos, frogs, and small mammals. Forages primarily using a 'sit-and-wait' ambush technique.
The Alor Boobook is a strictly nocturnal hunter, typically becoming active at dusk and foraging throughout the night. During the day, it roosts solitarily or in pairs, hidden cryptically within dense canopy foliage, often perched close to the main tree trunk. Its primary foraging strategy is that...
The Alor Boobook is an exclusively endemic species, found solely on Alor Island, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It is a resident species throughout its range, exhibiting no migratory movements or seasonal shifts in distribution. Its habitat spans ...
Data Deficient
- The Alor Boobook is a true island specialist, found nowhere else in the world except the relatively small Alor Island in Indonesia. - It was only formally recognized as a distinct species in 2017, having previously been considered a subspecies of the Moluccan Boobook, showcasing the ongoing dis...