The Alor boobook is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is native to Pantar and Alor Islands in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands.
Region
Eastern Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs only on Alor and Pantar, where it uses dry monsoon forest, semi-evergreen woodland, secondary growth, and forest edge. It can also forage in mixed agroforestry landscapes with tall trees, including plantations and village groves. Roosts by day in dense foliage or tree cavities. Likely avoids the most open scrub and heavily urbanized areas, favoring patches with substantial canopy.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Alor boobook is a small hawk-owl restricted to the islands of Alor and Pantar in Indonesia’s eastern Lesser Sundas. Its haunting, repetitive hoots carry far on still tropical nights and are often the best way to detect it. It likely persists in a mosaic of dry forest, secondary woodland, and agroforests, but its tiny range makes it vulnerable to habitat change.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Primarily active at night, hunting from low to mid-level perches with short sallies into vegetation. Typically found alone or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are presumed in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, with both adults likely participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, evenly spaced hoots often given in paired notes reminiscent of a classic “boo-book.” Calls may accelerate into short sequences during territorial exchanges, with softer contact notes between mates.
Plumage
Compact hawk-owl with rich brown upperparts marked by pale spotting on the scapulars and fine streaking on the breast and belly. Underparts are buff to whitish with brown streaks; facial disc is dusky with a contrasting paler brow.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as beetles, moths, katydids, and cicadas. Will also take spiders and other arthropods gleaned from foliage. Occasionally captures small vertebrates like geckos or small rodents when available.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, semi-open woodland, and clearings with scattered tall trees, using exposed perches. Also forages along trails, river margins, and around village groves where insect activity is concentrated.
