A rare, medium-sized owl that lives only on Camiguin Island in the Philippines, which already makes it feel like an island “secret.” It has a warm brown head and upper body and a neatly barred pattern across much of its feathers, giving it a crisp, striped look rather than bold spots or big facial markings. When it perches quietly in the shade, it can look plain at first glance—but a closer look reveals a handsome mix of soft browns, clean barring, and a small white throat patch that becomes especially noticeable when it calls.

What truly sets the Camiguin boobook apart from its close relatives is a mix of eye color, voice, and identity. It is famous for being the only owl in the Philippines with greenish-yellow to grayish eyes, rather than the more typical yellow or orange tones seen in many other local owls. Its voice also helped make its case as its own species: for a long time, it was treated as part of a wider group related to the Philippine hawk-owl, but differences in sound and other traits were strong enough that it was recognized as a distinct species in 2012.

The Camiguin boobook is closely tied to remaining broadleaf forest, especially in the island’s more intact central areas, but it may also appear along forest edges and in places where tall trees still stand. It hunts in a classic owl way—quiet watching followed by a quick strike—taking a mix of prey such as large insects and small animals. Even without being flashy, it has a strong “character” in the field: the face can look slightly whiskered around the edges, and the bird often seems intensely focused, scanning for movement while keeping its body almost motionless. If you do catch one calling, that white throat patch can pop in the dim light, as if the owl is flashing a tiny badge every time it sings.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Philippines

250-1,400

VU

2021

Camiguin Sur