The Papuan hawk owl, sometimes also Papuan boobook, is a medium-sized, sleek owl with a proportionately small head, long tail, and short, rounded wings. Its white facial disk is small and indistinct, with black streaks, and white eyebrows. It has buff-colored upperparts and barred black and brown underparts. Its eyes are bright yellow, and it has a gray to black bill. The male is larger than the female, which is unusual among owls.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs across the lowland and foothill forests of New Guinea in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It inhabits primary and secondary rainforest, riverine and swamp forest, and forest edges, often near clearings or along streams. The species favors midstory to subcanopy perches from which it ambushes prey. It can persist in selectively logged forests provided sufficient cover and large trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Papuan boobook, this sleek forest owl is unusual in that the male is larger than the female, a reversal of the typical owl pattern. It hunts by perching quietly and making swift sallies through dense foliage, aided by a long tail and short, rounded wings. Its bright yellow eyes and subtle white eyebrows stand out in dim understory light.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, maneuverable flight through forest
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, maintaining territories within forest tracts. Pairs likely nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, with one or two young typical of similar owls. Roosts by day in dense foliage, often close to the trunk.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of deep, resonant hoots delivered in measured pairs or short sequences, reminiscent of a soft boobook-style call. Also gives harsh barks and screeches when alarmed or during territorial encounters.
Plumage
Sleek with buff-brown upperparts and blackish-brown barring below; facial disk small and indistinct, whitish with fine dark streaks; long tail and short, rounded wings.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as beetles, katydids, and moths, as well as small vertebrates including rodents, bats, small birds, lizards, and frogs. It hunts from a perch, making quick strikes to the ground or adjacent branches. Prey is swallowed whole or torn into manageable pieces with the hooked bill.
Preferred Environment
Forages within shaded midstory and along forest edges, rivers, and gaps where prey activity is concentrated. Often selects quiet perches with good sightlines into understory clearings.
