Luzon Boobook
Ninox philippensis
A fairly small owl of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Brown on the head and upperparts with a slight speckled effect, and whitish below with thick reddish-brown streaks. Note bright yellow eyes and long whiskers around the face. Similar to Chocolate Boobook, but Luzon is much smaller and lacks any white on the chest. Voice includes a single short, descending “boo!” repeated at intervals, and a short phrase “boo! wup-wup boo!”
Identification
The Luzon boobook is one of the smallest of the owls in the Philippine hawk-owl complex. It has white eyebrow-like streaks above the eyes and the beak and a white moustache forming an x-shape on the head. It does not have tufts of feathers on its head resembling ears. The upper parts of all subspecies are brown and the wings are mottled with oval-shaped white spots. The tail is dark brown with narrow white stripes. The sides of the head are brown, the chin is a whitish colour, while the rest of the underparts are pale white with wide brown streaks which are more prominent on the breast. The underside of the tail is white. The chequered subspecies have these reticulated patterns on the underparts, on the head, the upper parts of the back and the wings. The feet are partially covered with feathers and are pale yellow. The beak is olive.
Taxonomy
There are three recognised subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Ninox philippensis
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1855
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Ninox
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Luzon boobook can be found in forest areas up to an altitude of 1,800 m (5,906 ft) above sea level, although they mostly reside in areas below 1,000 m (3,281 ft). Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The breeding season for this species starts around February utilizing hollows in trees as nesting sites. It feeds on insects and small rodents.
Conservation
They are locally common within that range and the population size is believed to be stable. The owls face no particular threats, and as a result, the IUCN has listed the group as being of "least concern" as it is also tolerant of secondary forest and clearings.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Turkestan Short-toed Lark
Alaudala heinei
A small pale lark with a short, finch-like bill. Usually seen foraging on the ground in open country with shrubs, grasses, and extensive bare soil, often in sandy areas. Stays low to the ground and runs quickly. The extremely variable song is made up of a long series of phrases containing a mix of many different types of notes, often including imitations of other bird species. Sings longer song phrases than Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, with longer pauses between them. Visually, can be difficult to separate from Greater Short-toed Lark; best features are the heavily streaked breast and flanks and the lack of a well-defined eyebrow. Also extremely similar to Mediterranean and Asian Short-toed Larks. Separation in overlap zones is difficult and poorly understood, and is complicated by both geographic and individual variation. Slightly smaller, darker brownish, and more streaked than Asian Short-toed Lark, with slightly less pointed wings and slightly less white on the outer tail feathers. Slightly less rufous overall than Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, with narrower streaks on the breast. Also similar to Sand Lark, but slightly larger and more streaked on the back, with a shorter and thicker bill.
Black-eared Hemispingus
Sphenopsis melanotis
Small warblerlike tanager found in the Andes from extreme western Venezuela to Bolivia. Brownish above and tawny-orange below, with color concentrated on the breast. Note gray nape and crown, and black cheek. Some geographic variation: birds on west slope of Andes in Ecuador and Colombia are dullest with no black cheek, while birds in northwest Peru and southern Ecuador are brightest below with a bold white eyebrow. Usually uncommon; found in pairs in the understory or middle levels of montane forests and edges from around 1,400–2,500 m. Especially apt to be found in areas with chusquea bamboo. Listen for its sputtering chatter.
Gray-lored Broadbill
Serilophus rubropygius
A small, quiet bird with a distinctly silky, smooth-feathered appearance. Shape and pattern unique and unmistakable; note thick black stripe behind eye, dark wings with a glossy blue-and-black panel, and broad-based silvery bill. Usually moves around through the middle layers of foothill and montane forest. Does not often join mixed-species foraging flocks, instead tending to stick to medium-sized groups of its own species. Sometimes gives a smooth, fluid ‘teelee!’Formerly treated as a subspecies of Silver-breasted Broadbill.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.