Ninox ios
The Cinnabar Boobook (Ninox ios) is a strikingly small and recently discovered owl, endemic to the island of Halmahera in Indonesia. Measuring approximately 22 cm (8.7 inches) in length, its most distinctive feature is its uniform, rich rufous-cinnamon plumage, which gives the species its name. This warm coloration is beautifully complemented by piercing, bright yellow-orange eyes that stand out against its relatively indistinct facial disc. Unlike many owls, it lacks prominent ear tufts. Tax...
This boobook inhabits primary lowland and hill rainforests, particularly favoring areas near streams, from sea level up to elevations of approximately 1,200 meters.
The Cinnabar Boobook primarily preys on large insects, such as beetles, mantids, and moths, which it typically catches in flight or gleans from vegetation.
The Cinnabar Boobook is a strictly nocturnal species, typically roosting singly or in pairs within dense foliage during daylight hours, where its rufous plumage provides excellent camouflage. Its foraging strategy primarily involves perch-hunting, swooping down from a hidden branch to snatch larg...
The Cinnabar Boobook is an obligate resident, found exclusively on the island of Halmahera, which is part of the North Maluku province of Indonesia. This distribution makes it one of the most geographically restricted owl species in the world, an island endemic within the biogeographical region o...
Endangered
- The Cinnabar Boobook was only formally described to science in 2004, having been discovered a mere six years prior in 1998, making it one of the most recently named owl species. - Its scientific name, 'ios,' is Greek for 'rust' or 'poison,' referring to its distinctive rufous-cinnamon plumage. ...