The Christmas boobook, also known as the Christmas hawk owl, Christmas Island boobook or Christmas Island hawk owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae.
Region
Eastern Indian Ocean (Christmas Island)
Typical Environment
Occurs across Christmas Island’s primary and secondary evergreen rainforest, limestone terraces, and coastal margins. It often hunts along forest edges, clearings, and near human habitation where prey concentrates around lights. Nesting typically takes place in natural hollows of large rainforest trees. Because the island is small, its entire range spans only a few hundred square kilometers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 360 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Christmas boobook is the only native owl on Christmas Island and is confined entirely to this small Australian territory. It hunts mainly insects but will also take small reptiles and birds, patrolling forest edges and even areas around lights in the settlement. The species is threatened by habitat alteration and invasive species, notably yellow crazy ants, which have disrupted the island’s ecosystem. It is legally protected and monitored due to its very restricted range.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with silent, low glides between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in monogamous pairs that maintain territories year-round. Nests in tree hollows of mature rainforest trees and may reuse sites in successive seasons. Clutches are small, typically 1–2 eggs, and both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, repeated two-note hoot reminiscent of the classic “boo-book” call, given at intervals during the night. Also produces harsher barks and chattering notes as alarm or contact calls.
Plumage
Rufous-brown upperparts with fine white spotting and mottling; underparts pale buff to whitish with brown streaks and bars. Facial disk is weakly defined and buffy, with no ear tufts. Feathers are dense and soft for silent flight.
Diet
Feeds primarily on large insects such as moths, beetles, and orthopterans. Also takes small vertebrates including geckos, skinks, and occasionally small birds. Hunts from low to mid-level perches, dropping onto prey or sallying to capture insects in flight or off foliage.
Preferred Environment
Most active along forest edges, clearings, and around the island’s settlement where artificial lights attract insects. Uses interior rainforest as well, especially mature areas that provide nesting hollows and good perch sites.
