The rufous owl, also known as the rufous boobook, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It was described in 1846 by John Gould, an English ornithologist. Its common name reflects the rufous-coloured feathers that these owls are covered with in adulthood. While it is uncommon, the species has a wide range, including Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Region
Northern Australia and New Guinea
Typical Environment
Found in tropical and subtropical forests across northern Australia, southern New Guinea, and nearby Indonesian New Guinea. It favors tall rainforest, monsoon forest, paperbark swamps, and riparian gallery forests, often near permanent water. The species also uses wooded edges and tall eucalypt forest adjoining rainforest. In some areas it ventures into parks or urban fringes with mature trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous owl is one of the largest boobook-type owls, powerful enough to take prey as large as possums and flying foxes. Pairs maintain long-term territories in dense forests and riparian corridors. Although globally not considered threatened, it is sensitive to loss of old-growth trees that provide the large hollows needed for nesting.
subspecies queenslandica
Male rufous owl, Cairns
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
silent, powerful flight with short rapid wingbeats between glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs that defend territories year-round. Nests in large hollows of mature trees; clutch size is typically 1–2 eggs. Pairs form long-term bonds, with the male providing much of the food during incubation and early chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A deep, far-carrying double hoot often rendered as hoo-hoo or woo-woo, given in spaced, resonant notes. Also produces grunts, growls, and harsh screams near the nest. Duets between pair members are common at night.
Plumage
Rich rufous to chocolate-brown above with fine pale spotting; underparts boldly barred rufous and white. Face shows a weak facial disc with pale brows and heavily feathered legs and toes. Plumage can vary from warm rufous to darker brown morphs.
Diet
Primarily hunts medium-sized mammals such as possums, gliders, and rodents, and also takes birds, bats, reptiles, and large insects. It typically hunts from a concealed perch, dropping onto prey with a swift pounce. Larger prey may be partially eaten on the ground and remains are often carried to a regular roost. Opportunistic and adaptable, it selects prey according to local availability.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, watercourses, and clearings where prey is abundant. Often uses high perches within dense canopy, moving to more open hunting spots at night. In some towns of northern Australia, it will hunt in parks with large trees and near lights that attract insects and small vertebrates.
