The Guadalcanal owl, also known as the Guadalcanal boobook is a small to medium-sized owl. It is endemic to Guadalcanal. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Solomons boobook.
Region
Southwest Pacific (Solomon Islands)
Typical Environment
Occurs only on Guadalcanal, where it inhabits primary and secondary lowland and hill forest, forest edges, and wooded gardens. It favors dense canopy cover for roosting by day and more open edges for hunting at night. The species can persist in selectively logged forest if large trees and cavities remain. It is generally absent from treeless areas and heavily urbanized zones.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Guadalcanal boobook, this small to medium-sized owl is confined to the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. It was long treated as a subspecies of the Solomons boobook but is now recognized as a distinct species. Nocturnal and secretive, it often hunts along forest edges and clearings. Habitat loss from logging is a likely concern, though its exact population status remains poorly known.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short, silent wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in monogamous pairs defending territories. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker-like holes, laying a small clutch. Adults are attentive, with both sexes involved in territory defense near the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Typical boobook-like series of mellow, repeated hoots, often given as a two-note “boo-book” phrase spaced at regular intervals. Calls carry well at night and may accelerate during territorial exchanges. Soft whistles and chatter are used at close range.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with pale spotting on the scapulars and fine streaking; underparts paler with rufous-brown streaks. Face rather plain with a subtle, darker facial area and faint pale eyebrows. Tail and wings show narrow barring.
Diet
Primarily large insects such as beetles, moths, and orthopterans, taken by perch-and-sally hunting. Will also snatch spiders and other arthropods from foliage. Occasionally captures small vertebrates including lizards and small rodents or birds when available.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, clearings, trails, and near village lights that attract insects. Often forages from mid-level perches, making short sallies to the ground or into foliage.
