Athene jacquinoti
The West Solomons Owl, *Athene jacquinoti*, is a compact, medium-sized nocturnal raptor endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. Measuring approximately 20-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length, it is characterized by its dark brown upperparts, rufous-brown underparts often streaked or spotted with whitish markings, and strikingly bright yellow eyes that stand out against a poorly defined facial disc. Unlike many owls, it lacks prominent ear tufts, contributing to its smooth, rounded head profile. ...
This owl primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, ranging from lowland to montane elevations, typically found up to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). It can occasionally be found in more disturbed areas or at forest edges.
Its diet primarily consists of large insects such as moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, supplemented by small vertebrates like geckos, other small lizards, and occasionally small birds or rodents. It forages using a perch-and-pounce method or by hawking insects in flight.
The West Solomons Owl is strictly nocturnal, becoming active shortly after dusk and remaining so until dawn. During the day, it roosts solitarily or in pairs, typically concealed within dense tree foliage, tree cavities, or the shaded branches of large trees. Its primary foraging strategy involve...
The West Solomons Owl is strictly endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, which spans both Papua New Guinea (specifically Bougainville and Buka) and the independent nation of the Solomon Islands. Its distribution covers a wide array of islands within this chain, with recognized subspecies oft...
Least Concern
- The West Solomons Owl was historically classified in the genus *Ninox* (Boobook owls) but was reclassified to *Athene* (Little Owls) based on modern molecular phylogenetic studies. - Despite its previous classification, it is now considered more closely related to species like the European Litt...