Hume's boobook or Hume's hawk-owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae endemic to the Andaman Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.
Region
South Asia (Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal)
Typical Environment
Occurs across evergreen and semi-evergreen lowland forests, secondary woodland, forest edges, and mangrove stands on the Andaman Islands. It prefers dense canopy for daytime roosting and uses tree cavities for nesting. The species tolerates lightly modified habitats and can be found near villages and plantations where tall trees remain. It forages along forest edges, clearings, and over streams.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Hume's boobook (also called Hume's hawk-owl) is an island owl restricted to India’s Andaman Islands. It has often been treated as a subspecies of the Brown Hawk-owl and is also referred to as the Andaman boobook in some lists. It roosts quietly in dense foliage by day and hunts from perches at night. Ongoing forest loss and degradation on the islands are its main threats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides through the canopy
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, with both parents attending the young. Pairs maintain small territories and roost discreetly in dense foliage by day.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A repeated, mellow double-note reminiscent of “boo-book,” delivered at measured intervals at night. Also gives sharp screeches and chattering notes during territorial interactions.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with pale spotting on the scapulars and streaked underparts; finely barred tail. Facial disc is weakly defined; underparts show whitish ground color with brown streaking.
Diet
Feeds on large insects such as beetles, crickets, and moths, as well as small vertebrates including geckos, frogs, and occasional rodents or small birds. Hunts from a perch, sallying to the ground or into foliage to seize prey. May take prey attracted to lights near settlements.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, riparian corridors, and mangroves where perches are available. Uses low to mid-level perches to scan for movement and will hunt along tracks and roads at night.
