Ninox obscura
Hume's Boobook (*Ninox obscura*), also known as the Andaman Hawk-owl, is a charmingly compact owl endemic to the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Averaging around 25 cm (9.8 inches) in length, it presents a uniformly dark brown plumage dorsally, contrasting with a finely barred rufous-brown underside. Distinctive identification marks include its bright yellow eyes and prominent white eyebrows, which stand out against its otherwise dark facial features, though it lacks a well-defined faci...
Primarily inhabits tropical lowland and hill forests, including disturbed areas, plantations, and forest edges, often venturing near human settlements. Found from sea level up to moderate elevations within its island range.
Feeds primarily on large insects such as beetles and moths, complemented by small vertebrates like geckos, lizards, and possibly small rodents. Forages by swooping from a perch onto unsuspecting prey.
Hume's Boobook is a strictly nocturnal hunter, typically becoming active at dusk and vocalizing throughout the night. It employs a sit-and-wait foraging strategy, perching silently on exposed branches before swooping down to capture prey. Little is known about its specific territorial behaviors, ...
Hume's Boobook is strictly endemic to the Andaman Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, India. Its distribution encompasses major islands such as North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Rutland Island, and Little Andaman. It is a resident species throughout its range, meaning it doe...
Least Concern
- Endemic exclusively to the Andaman Islands, making it a true island specialist found nowhere else on Earth. - Its common name, "Boobook," is an onomatopoeic reference to its distinctive two-note call, a common characteristic among many *Ninox* species. - Despite its small size, Hume's Boobook i...