Know your Aussie species (endangered or not) - BOOBOOK

a month ago by arbilp3 to c/environment

There are some sounds that instantly tell you where you are. Magpies warbling at dawn, cicadas screaming on a hot summer afternoon, kookaburras laughing from the trees. And for me, one of the great sounds of the Australian bush at night is the quiet, haunting call of a Boobook Owl: boo-book … boo-book. Or, as generations of Australians have also heard it, mopoke … mopoke.The Australian Boobook (Ninox boobook) is our smallest and most widespread owl. Most of us are probably far more likely to hea

I've decided to put up posts not only about officially threatened species but of any of the fabulous animal species that live on this continent. In reality, all of them are vulnerable now so we need to become more aware and protect them.

We are coming into Boobook breeding season now. These small owls normally nest in tree hollows. Usually they are sparsely lined with wood shavings, leaves and small twigs, but may be left bare. The female alone incubates the 2-3 eggs, but both sexes, and sometimes a second female helper, feed the young.

You may not see these small owls during the day but you can hear them at night. Have a read of the beautiful description in the above link.:

Here you can hear their call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc5G1d8f3u0

phant 3 points a month ago

We have one/a few that visit us regularly. Happily "mopoking" away. They also have an unsettling call they do that kinda sounds like a car alarm being unlocked (i think - haven't heard it in a while).

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arbilp3 2 points a month ago

You must have some gorgeous old big trees where you live. Protect these trees and the boobooks will keep visiting. You probably also have other hollow-sheltering species. If you ever get a chance to photograph any of your wildlife visitors or residents, it'd be great to see them.

When I used to live in outer Sydney we used to get boobooks too. I loved their call.

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phant 3 points a month ago

Yes, massive gum tree in the neighbours yard. There are a few hollows and a big nest at the top. Been meaning to stake out the hollows with a camera.
The suburb I'm in is very leafy and the council is protective of significant narive trees luckily.

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arbilp3 3 points a month ago

You sure are lucky to have a tree-supportive council. Wish I could say the same.

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