The New Ireland boobook or New Ireland hawk owl also known as the Bismarck boobook, Bismarck hawk owl or barred boobook, is a small to medium-sized owl measuring 25 to 30 cm in length. It is a dark rufous-brown above, with barred scapular feathers and variable amounts of spotting or barring on the wings and tail. Its underparts are whitish, with an unmarked pale throat, a dark barred upper breast and barring on the remainder of the underparts. Its face is dark brown, its eyes are brown or yellow, and its bill and legs are yellow. It is short-tailed and has heavy tarsi.
Region
Bismarck Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout New Ireland, favoring lowland and hill rainforests, secondary growth, and forest edges. It adapts to selectively logged forest and sometimes forages around gardens and plantations at night. Roosts by day in dense foliage and hunts from perches at night, making short sallies to capture prey. It is generally absent from treeless habitats but can use riparian corridors and wooded ridgelines.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This island-restricted boobook is confined to New Ireland in Papua New Guinea and is active mainly at night along forest edges and clearings. Pairs often duet with a series of mellow hoots, and they nest in tree cavities. Like many Ninox owls, it relies heavily on large insects but will also take small vertebrates when available.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides through forest understory
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs. Forms monogamous pairs that maintain territories year-round. Nests in natural tree cavities, with a small clutch and strong parental care from both adults.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, repeated boo-book or woop-woop duet given by pairs, often at dusk and before dawn. Also utters sharper barks and squeaks during territorial interactions.
Plumage
Dark rufous-brown above with barred scapulars and variable spotting or barring on wings and tail; whitish underparts with a pale, unmarked throat, dark-barred upper breast, and barred lower underparts.
Diet
Primarily large insects such as beetles, moths, and orthopterans. Also takes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates like geckos, small birds, and rodents. Hunts from low to mid-level perches and launches short sallies to seize prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, light gaps, secondary growth, and around village gardens where insects are abundant. Often hunts near streams and along tracks or clearings where prey is more easily detected.
