Unlike the classic “hoot owls” people imagine with round faces and ear tufts, the Brown boobook has a sleek, hawk-like appearance with a rounded head, no ear tufts, and large, piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is mostly chocolate brown with streaks of white on the chest, and its long tail gives it a more streamlined shape than many other owls. This hawk-like look, combined with its powerful flight, makes it easy to see why it’s often mistaken for a small raptor rather than an owl.
What makes it distinct from many other owls is its shape and its behavior—it is a forest and woodland hunter that thrives in areas close to people, often perching quietly near villages or gardens at night.
The Brown boobook is an active and agile predator, feeding mainly on insects like beetles, crickets, and moths, but it will also catch small birds, reptiles, and rodents when the chance arises. Unlike some owls relying on silent glides from above, this species often hunts from a perch, swooping swiftly to grab prey with its sharp talons.
Its call is another unique trait: instead of the drawn-out hoots of many owls, the Brown boobook makes a soft, repeated “hoo-hoo” sound, which can carry far on still nights. This simple two-note call has made it easy for people to recognize, and in some regions, it’s part of local folklore, with its voice said to signal changes in weather or visitors at night.
While some owl species struggle when forests are cut or altered, the Brown boobook has proven to be highly flexible, living in secondary forests, plantations, and even city parks as long as there are enough trees for cover and perches. This ability to live close to human settlements makes it one of the most familiar owls in its wide range.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
