The Rote boobook is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Rote Island in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs only on Rote Island, where it inhabits dry monsoon forest, secondary woodland, and scrubby savanna with scattered trees. It is frequently found along forest edges, in agroforestry landscapes with palms and fruit trees, and around rural settlements. The species also uses gallery forest along streams and patches of taller trees within agricultural mosaics. It roosts in dense foliage by day and hunts from perches at night.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Rote boobook is a recently recognized island owl of the Ninox (boobook) complex, confined to Rote Island in Indonesia. It gives a characteristic two-note “boo-book” call, useful for locating it at night. The species tolerates a mosaic of dry woodland, scrub, and village groves, which helps it persist outside intact forest.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides; agile perch-and-pounce hunter
Social Behavior
Usually encountered as single birds or territorial pairs. Likely monogamous, nesting in tree cavities or hollows. Pairs vocalize antiphonally during the breeding period and defend small territories at night.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A repeated two-note “boo-book” or “puu-pook,” delivered at steady intervals, carrying well in open woodland at night. Also gives short barks, trills, and soft contact notes near roosts.
Plumage
Compact hawk-owl with brown upperparts marked by pale spots on the scapulars and streaked underparts. The facial disk is weakly defined and buffy, with fine dark framing. Tail and wings show subtle rufous-brown barring.
Diet
Primarily hunts large insects such as moths, beetles, and orthopterans. It will also take small lizards, geckos, and occasionally small rodents if available. Prey is typically spotted from a perch and taken in short sallies or pounced upon on the ground or foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages along woodland edges, in scrubby savanna with scattered trees, and around village gardens where lights attract insects. Also hunts along streamside vegetation and in open patches within mixed agroforests.
