Camiguin Boobook
Ninox leventisi
A rare medium-sized owl of remnant broadleaf forest on Camiguin Island. Uniformly barred, with a brown head and upperparts, a pale bar behind the shoulder, warmer brown underparts, long whiskers around the face, and pale yellow eyes. Note the white throat patch. Song is a rapid series of fairly low “woop” notes, sometimes given in duet. White throat particularly noticeable when calling.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A rare medium-sized owl of remnant broadleaf forest on Camiguin Island. Uniformly barred, with a brown head and upperparts, a pale bar behind the shoulder, warmer brown underparts, long whiskers around the face, and pale yellow eyes. Note the white throat patch. Song is a rapid series of fairly low 'woop' notes, sometimes given in duet. White throat particularly noticeable when calling."<p>Among the species complex, this owl is unique in that its eyes are striking greenish-yellow versus the standard yellow or reddish-brown eyes of the rest of its related species. <p>Along with the Romblon boobook and Cebu boobook, it is the largest in the Philippine hawk-owl species complex reaching sizes of 25cm tall versus the much smaller Luzon boobook, Mindanao boobook, Mindoro boobook and Sulu boobook, which range in size from 15 to 20cm tall.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ninox leventisi
- Authority
- Rasmussen, Allen, D, Collar, Hutchinson, Jakosalem, Kennedy, RS, Lambert & Paguntalan, 2012
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Ninox
Range and habitat
Its habitat is in tropical moist lowland primary and secondary forests up to 700 meters above sea level. It is also occasionally seen on forest edge, clearings and plantations.<p>The IUCN Red List classifies this bird as vulnerable with population estimates of 250 to 999 mature individuals. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of legal and illegal logging, mining and conversion into farmlands through Slash-and-burn and urbanization mostly due to an influx of tourists which have forced these birds to the uplands.<p>There are no species specific conservation programs going on at the moment but conservation actions proposed include more species surveys to better understand habitat and population. initiate education and awareness campaigns to raise the species's profile and instill pride in locals. Lobby for protection of remaining forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Brown Fulvetta
Alcippe brunneicauda
As the name suggests, this is a fairly uninteresting-looking fulvetta without flashy distinguishing characteristics. Both sexes are brown with a gray head and a horn-colored bill. Most common in lowland and foothill forest; less frequently found in upper elevation montane forests. Typically moves in low and middle levels of forest, often in small flocks and as part of mixed flocks. Song is a high, thin, chime-like “tu-dee-tu-dee-tu-dee”.
Striated Softtail
Thripophaga macroura
Distinctive-looking rufous bird, heavily streaked with a bright cinnamon tail. Note the orange chin patch. Found in humid forest with dense vine tangles, where it forages by gleaning from the understory to the subcanopy and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. The song is two clear notes flowed by a rattle. The superficially similar but larger Pale-browed Treehunter lacks the orange chin and has a more robust bill.
Christmas Island Boobook
Ninox natalis
Small, distinctive boobook with extensive chestnut-brown barring. Favors surviving primary rainforest, but can sometimes be found in secondary growth; can be found on roadsides through suitable habitat when hunting. The only resident owl on the island; the migratory Northern Boobook is a winter visitor to the island, and is significantly larger and much darker overall, with an all-brown head and brown-striped white underparts. Present species gives an odd, distorted-sounding “qwr-qwerk.” Begging birds give a shrill trill. Unfortunately, like many other Christmas Island species, has suffered declines due to the introduced yellow crazy ant, which has caused the owl to disappear from parts of its range.
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